In the biggest matches, and the most crucial moments, Mohamed Salah continues to amaze. His goal in Liverpool’s recent 2-2 draw with Manchester City was one that will live long in the memory, and might just be the best he has ever scored in a red shirt.
Although it ultimately wasn’t enough to win the game, Salah’s goal was a reawakening for those who needed reminding of his supreme talent. It was the kind of strike he has made his trademark in his time at Anfield, and more importantly, it was exactly the kind of match where we see Salah thrive year after year.
With hearts still racing after that sensational goal, let’s take a look at a few times Salah has wowed Liverpool fans with sumptuous strikes in the biggest games.
Liverpool 1-1 Everton, December 2017
When Salah arrived at Anfield in the summer of 2017, few expected him to score so prolifically, but the 2017-18 season was a tale of goals upon goals for the Egyptian.
One of the sweetest came against Liverpool’s city rivals Everton. Receiving the ball just outside the corner of the penalty area, Salah brushed aside the challenge of Cuco Martina, turned on a sixpence to evade Idrissa Gueye, and curled a beautiful effort beyond the dive of Jordan Pickford and into the top corner.
The goal raised the roof at Anfield and ultimately won the Puskas Award for 2018. Although Liverpool could not quite hold on for the three points, this was perhaps the moment where Reds supporters realised just how special their new signing was.
Liverpool 2-2 Tottenham Hotspur, February 2018
Salah would produce an even finer goal at the same end of Anfield a few months later. Tottenham Hotspur were the visitors, and with the game tied at 1-1 heading into stoppage time, something special was required.
As the ball pinballed on the edge of the Spurs box, Salah suddenly sprang into life. He dodged the attention of Ben Davies and Jan Vertonghen to bear down on goal, where a delightful finish saw the ball fly into the roof of the net. It was a piece of individual brilliance.
Unfortunately, the goal didn’t prove the winner thanks to Harry Kane’s late penalty, but it was another awe-inspiring moment to defy those betting on football, and added to a sensational debut season for Salah.
Liverpool 2-0 Chelsea, April 2019
In terms of pure footballing excellence, we may never see a title race quite like the 2018-19 Premier League season. Both Manchester City and Liverpool were a cut above the rest, and dropping points simply wasn’t an option during the run-in.
Liverpool knew that equation when they hosted Chelsea in April 2019. Nothing but a win would do. Sadio Mané gave the Reds the lead shortly after half-time, and all it took was one swing of Salah’s left foot for the game to be killed off moments later.
The Egyptian received the ball on the right, before cutting inside and unleashing a howitzer of a strike into the top corner from 25 yards, fizzing past Kepa Arrizabalaga like a guided missile. Anfield erupted, and Liverpool’s title challenge marched on while Salah celebrated against the club who let him go four years earlier.
Long-range strikes are not exactly common for Salah, so this was a particularly special goal. City would edge out Liverpool by a single point in the end, but that did not detract from Salah’s belter.
Liverpool 2-2 Manchester City, October, 2021
It had been a while since Salah produced a true moment of genius, and perhaps that made his recent goal against Manchester City all the more special.
Liverpool struggled for long periods of the match, playing second fiddle in the football betting tips, but in the second half they kicked into gear. Salah played provider for Mané to open the scoring, but after Phil Foden’s equaliser, more magic was needed.
Cue the Egyptian King. Receiving the ball in a tight spot and with his back to goal, the chances of Salah scoring from the position he was in were minimal. But score he did, jinking past an army of City defenders before unleashing a venomous right-footed shot from a tight angle, which arrowed past a stunned Ederson and into the net.
City levelled the scores in the end, but Anfield was left marvelling at the sheer brilliance of Salah — and not for the first time.
