Salah in red hot form
London, March 18: Mohamed Salah’s stunning debut season with Liverpool hit a new high as the Egypt winger’s fourgoal spree set a club record in a 5-0 demolition of Watford, while Crystal Palace boosted their bid for Premier League survival with a 2-0 victory at Huddersfield on Saturday.
After a 2-1 defeat at arch rivals Manchester United in their last game, Salah’s latest masterclass helped Liverpool get back on track with a fourth win in their last five league games.
Salah has scored 36 goals for Liverpool in all competitions since joining from Roma last year — the most by any player in a debut season with the Reds. Spain striker Fernando Torres netted 33 times for Liverpool in 2007-08.
Salah took just four minutes to shred the Watford defence as his clever turn left Miguel Britos sprawled on the turf and opened space to drill past Orestis Karnezis.
The 25-year-old’s struggles with Chelsea four years ago are a distant memory and Salah etched his name in the Liverpool history books in the 43rd minute with a close-range finish from Andrew Robertson’s cross.
Salah turned provider for Roberto Firmino’s goal in the 49th minute with a pinpoint cross that the Brazilian guided into the net with an audacious midair back-flick.
Salah wasn’t finished yet as he twisted past a group of bewildered defenders to complete his treble in the 77th minute.
He is the first Egyptian player to score a Premier League hat-trick and capping a memorable evening, Salah was on hand to slam in his fourth in the 85th minute after Karnezis spilled Danny Ings’ shot.
Liverpool move two points above Tottenham into third place as they aim to qualify for next season’s Champions League via a top four finish.
Palace remain hopeful of retaining their lucrative top-flight berth, bottom-ofthe-table West Bromwich Albion seem destined for relegation after an agonising 2-1 defeat at Bournemouth.