Salah shows his worth to Liverpool
If Virgil van Dijk cost Liverpool $100 million US, imagine how much Mohamed Salah is currently worth.
The Egypt forward is exceeding all expectations in his first season at Anfield and scored another two goals to help Liverpool come from behind to beat Leicester 2-1 in the Premier League on Saturday.
That’s 23 goals in all competitions by the turn of the year — matching the 56-year club record held by Roger Hunt — of which 17 have come in the league. “He is still a young player,” Liverpool manager Juergen Klopp said of 25-yearold Salah. “He can improve.”
It is looking like $49 million well spent this summer following Salah’s move from Roma. Van Dijk was in the directors’ box to watch his new employers after agreeing this week to a move to Liverpool from Southampton for double that fee.
Later, it became an even better day for Liverpool, with Manchester United held 0-0 at home by Southampton for a third straight draw over the holiday period. Liverpool, in fourth place, is only three points behind United.
Chelsea beat Stoke 5-0 to climb to second place, 13 points behind Manchester City, which plays Crystal Palace today.
Salah responded to Jamie Vardy’s third-minute opener at Anfield to score in the 52nd and 76th minutes. An errant pass by Joel Matip, who might end up losing his place to Van Dijk, led to Vardy’s goal that was set up by Riyad Mahrez.
Salah had four decent chances before equalizing eight minutes into the second half, running onto Sadio Mane’s backheel and holding off Christian Fuchs and Daniel Amartey to pick his spot beyond goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel.
He grabbed the winner in the 76th after another back-heel, this time from James Milner.
Man United striker Romelu Lukaku was carried off on a stretcher, wearing an oxygen mask, in the first half of his team’s draw against Southampton. Lukaku required a long period of treatment after a clash of heads with Southampton defender Wesley Hoedt.
Already hit by injuries, Stoke rested a number of key players for its tough trip to Chelsea and was made to pay. Antonio Rudiger, Danny Drinkwater and Pedro Rodriguez scored in the opening 23 minutes, before further goals by Willian — a penalty — and substitute Davide Zappacosta.
Stoke manager Mark Hughes said: “I take responsibility for this, it was my decision.”
Carlos Carvalhal made the perfect start as Swansea manager, winning his first game in charge, 2-1 at Watford, and seeing the team climb off the bottom of the standings.