Mohamed Salah was Liverpool’s star man yet again as they turned around a 1-0 deficit to defeat Claude Puel’s Leicester 2-1 at Anfield, where the Egyptian bagged two second-half goals to continue his phenomenal start to the season.
After going a goal down early on, Liverpool immediately battled back in search of an equaliser, yet missed countless opportunities to level the scores in the first half. Salah was perhaps guiltier than most as he somehow couldn’t find the back of the net in the opening 45 minutes, squandering several one on ones as the away side remained resilient at the back.
It didn’t take long however for Salah to finally show his deadly nature in front of goal when, seven minutes into the second half, the Egypt star showed tremendous balance, strength and determination to dance his way past a handful of Leicester defenders, before driving the ball under Kasper Schmeichel and into the back of the net to make it 1-1.
After missing another glorious opportunity halfway through the second half, Salah then turned the game on its head as he spun Harry Maguire expertly, before firing a left-footed strike into the bottom corner to seal all three points for his side, not for the first time and undoubtedly not for the last time this season.
Liverpool’s number 11 was a huge threat to the terrified Leicester defence all afternoon as he tormented those in front of him with his sensational pace and tricky footwork. His technical ability and balance inside the box on the day epitomised his performances for the Reds all season, where he has been simply outstanding both at Anfield and away from home.
Salah’s fine performance puts the Reds fourth in the table heading into the New Year, four points ahead of Spurs in fourth, who do however have a game in hand, but still three points behind fierce rivals Manchester United in third.
The pacey attacker now has 17 Premier League goals this season, just one behind Tottenham’s Harry Kane, and has become a central figure for Jurgen Klopp’s men as they look to cement their place in the top four. Liverpool’s new goal-scoring sensation will need to be equally impressive when his side start the new calendar year with a tough test away to high-flying Burnley on Monday afternoon, although the fan-favourite may be a doubt after limping off in the Leicester victory with seven minutes remaining, a worrying sign for the Liverpool faithful.
