Salah wonder-strike sends Liverpool top of the table as he haunts old club Chelsea at Anfield
MO SALAH scored one of the great goals in front of the Kop to reach 22 goals for the season, exactly half the number he managed in his spectacular opening year on Merseyside.
Yet it is Salah’s last two strikes which have not only proved to be as valuable as anything he managed last term, but has proved the Egyptian is once again a fearsome prospect in the final third.
And that is why even the most pessimistic Liverpool fan must accept they still have a cracking chance of winning the League and look a different team to the one which won just four games in 11 at the start of the year.
Salah’s tremendous strike in front of the Kop was a great way to remember Klopp’s 200th game in charge.
He celebrated by posing on one leg with his hands together in a yoga pose called Vrikshasana, or tree pose.
Fans on Twitter suggested he was sending a message of peace to Chelsea fans, after a vile video emerged days earlier of fans singing 'Salah is a bomber'.
And one of the goals of this terrific Premier League season came just 143 seconds after Sadio Mane finally broke Chelsea’s defensive resistance at the start of the second half.
In the end, Chelsea who lost Antonio Rudiger in the first half with a knee problem, could not have too many complaints even though Eden Hazard had two great second half chances.
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It was also a hugely emotional day as Liverpool’s fans remembered the 30th anniversary of Hillsborough and celebrated the life and career of former captain Tommy Smith,
Chelsea had not lost in their previous eight trips to Anfield and at half-time, would have been confident of continuing this fine run.
In the best chance of a tight opening 45 minutes, Salah shot straight at Kepa when you would have expected the Egyptian to a better finish.
Playing as the false nine, Eden Hazard was in agony after a strong tackle from Fabinho while he also suffered some rough stuff at the hands of Joel Matip.
But looking lively and confident, he still delivered Chelsea’s first shot on target midway inside the first half while Willian broke impressively and sent a shot flashing wide.
Although there were few chances with Chelsea defending well, Salah caused problems on the counter-attack but Mane shot wide.
MERSEY BEAT
And there was a blow for Chelsea when Rudiger, who had been extremely solid in defence, was forced off just before half-time with a knee injury he picked up earlier with Andreas Christensen replacing.
Kepa forced an excellent save from Firmino but the linesman’s flag was already up
Yet Liverpool started the second half strongly with their power and pressure with Mane getting the header to open the scoring and calm the nerves at Anfield.
Chelsea left-back Emerson was caught sleeping, Salah nudged the ball to Henderson and his cross was outstanding. Mane had a simple header with Azpilicueta caught out of position.
Salah then delivered his stunning finish soon after, with his shot heading into the corner like an arrow. Virgil Van Dijk delivered the long ball, Salah took a couple of touches to get away from Emerson and then dispatched his unbelievable effort with Kepa having no chance.
Callum Hudson-Odoi had suffered a quiet afternoon and he could have few complaints when being replaced by Gonazalo Higuain.
Hazard hit post and then had an even better chance but forced a decent save from Alisson.
Yet Liverpool midfielder Henderson, quite rightly, enjoyed a standing ovation when replaced by James Milner with 14 minutes remaining as the home fans enjoyed a key result.
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