Salah’s plan to rescue Liverpool

FUELLED by the adrenaline rush of clinching Egypt’s first World Cup berth in 28 years, Mohamed Salah has set his sights on rescuing Liverpool’s spluttering Champions League campaign.

After drawing their opening two Champions League soccer matches, Liverpool have no margin for error when they face Maribor in Slovenia tonight.

Fortunately for Reds boss Jurgen Klopp, in Salah, 25, they have the man for the occasion.

Salah was the key figure when Egypt enjoyed a dramatic 2-1 win against Congo Brazzaville last week that booked their presence at the World Cup for the first time since 1990. The Liverpool winger ignited wild scenes of celebration across Egypt when he converted a decisive penalty five minutes into stoppage-time.

Salah had given Egypt the lead on the hour with a cool finish, but Congo almost spoiled the party with an equaliser two minutes from full time.

But with just seconds left, Salah stepped up to score the penalty to clinch his country’s place in Russia next year – and he became a national hero, the “King of Egypt”.

“That was a dream come true. I’m proud I made the Egyptians happy,” Salah said of the win.

“The most difficult moment in my life was when the fans fell silent following Congo’s equaliser, but thank God we finally realised my childhood dream.”

Since joining Liverpool, for a then club record £39-million (R688-million) from Italian football club Roma in June, Salah has quickly won over the doubters with six goals in 12 appearances.

Klopp is not the only one dazzled by Salah, with Arsenal and France star Thierry Henry having said he has the potential to be one of the world’s best. – AFP