Salah’s latest Liverpool intervention proves Saudi transfer links were nonsense
Has Mo Salah ever been as effective as he currently is for Liverpool?
It seems an almost bizarre question, given he scored 44 goals in his first season for the Reds, but - as strange as it sounds - his influence seems far greater now, than even during that incredible first Anfield campaign. He has scored or assisted in his last 13 games for the club, his penalty here against West Ham, which naturally he won himself, taking him to eight goal involvement in his first seven matches this season.
And the blindingly obvious truth on a blustery Merseyside afternoon where the Hammers looked organised and talented enough to produce a surprise, was that their fear of Salah ultimately prevented them from doing so. He is a superstar now, renowned the world over for his talent and his humility, and he deserves the accolade because he is taking the responsibility associated with that status.
His passing, his instinct, his eye for the bigger picture (as well as for goal still) his ability to control the rhythm of a game has developed impressively in the past few years, to the extent that you could argue he’s currently the best all round forward on the planet.
It is of course why it is nonsense to assume he will play in Saudi Arabia any time soon. Like Messi and Ronaldo before him, he surely still has several more years at the top level, and THEN has time to enjoy the riches of the Middle East.
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In some ways his influence is more subtle than in previous campaigns. He pulls the strings now, his probing down the right forcing West Ham to defend deeper than they would like, to take less risks going forward as they constantly doubled up on him.
And still he caused so many problems. It was his nose for goal which saw him react to a slight Darwin Nunez deflection to edge in front of the otherwise excellent Nayef Aguerd to pull a foul from the defender, and convert the penalty himself.
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LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 24: (THE SUN OUT. THE SUN ON SUNDAY OUT) Mohamed Salah of Liverpool celebrates after scoring the opening goal during the Premier League match between Liverpool FC and West Ham United at Anfield on September 24, 2023 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by John Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)He could have had another goal after a brilliant flowing move just before half time when he shot narrowly wide, as Liverpool looked as devastating in breaking on the attack as they’ve ever been under Jurgen Klopp.
West Ham are no mugs though. They caused problems throughout, and just before the interval a quality break of their own produced a fine goal when Jarrod Bowen got in front of Virgil van Dijk to send a diving header past Alisson.
This was where Salah’s influence showed he has stepped up a level. Surrounded constantly, he still produced chances - one for Nunez which should have been buried - and eventually forced the visitors to crack.
He wasn’t involved directly in the two Liverpool goals that followed, but West Ham manager David Moyes acknowledged afterwards that his quality was the ultimate difference.
The London club could have taken the lead through Bowen before the Reds’ second, but when Salah’s movement created a gap for Nunez to gallop into, Alexis Mac Allister’s sublime pass found him to volley high into the net.
After that, Liverpool controlled brilliantly, with substitute Diogo Jota adding a third after van Dijk’s header back from a corner, and really that was all about Salah’s trickery and devastating movement.
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 24: Liverpool's Mohamed Salah during the Premier League match between Liverpool FC and West Ham United at Anfield on September 24, 2023 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Dave Howarth - CameraSport via Getty Images)He has matured, no doubt. His ability to orchestrate is so reminiscent now of Messi in his prime, that the comparisons made over the years are almost valid, finally.
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A world class talent, surrounded by young, hungry players of quality, he has found his role in mentoring the likes of Nunez, Jones, Mac Allister, Diaz and Szoboszlai. Liverpool are lucky to have him, and should enjoy his remaining years of a footballer at the absolute peak of his powers right now.
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