SOUTHGATE IS WARY OF WEARY KANE
Salah fired himself up for Euro glory by looking at photos of his painful, tearful departure against Madrid last year and vowing to get redemption
GARETH SOUTHGATE will hold talks with Harry Kane today but is facing a major dilemma over his fitness for the Nations League.
Tottenham striker Kane looked severely short of sharpness in the Champions League final as the gamble on starting him backfired badly on his club boss Mauricio Pochettino.
England coach Southgate already had doubts over Kane’s readiness for the semi-final with Holland on Thursday in Portugal. But Southgate insisted that Kane’s international goalscoring record – 22 goals in 37 caps – meant that he would be treated as a special case.
However, the skipper is a major concern for his Three Lions boss, who watched him struggle in Madrid.
Kane injured ankle ligaments in the Champions League against Manchester City on April 9 and, despite returning to training, the final defeat against Liverpool was his first game in nearly two months.
Southgate was already wary of starting too many players from Liverpool and Tottenham as they may be exhausted both physically and mentally.
That could provide an opportunity for Manchester United’s Marcus Rashford
(right) to prove his England credentials as a central striker against Holland. IT is a memory most would banish from their minds for ever, one that still chills the blood of everyone connected to Liverpool.
Mo Salah broken and in tears, helped from the pitch in Kiev when his Champions League dream was destroyed by the cynicism of Real Madrid’s Sergio Ramos and a shoulder joint jarred from its socket.
As he approached the opportunity for redemption, a miraculous return to the final and a chance to put that flashback behind him for good, Salah refused to hide from his darkest hour.
On the afternoon of the game against Spurs, he called up an image of him shattered and inconsolable, barely registering the concern of Cristiano Ronaldo and the Liverpool medical staff. He did it as a reminder.
“Last year was one of the worst moments of my life, and yes this is one of the best,” said Salah. “I looked at a picture before the game of me in the final last year, it was so awful. We were so upset and disappointed and now here we are back and winning the trophy.
“I was so very disappointed I had that injury after just 30 minutes. I looked at the picture to motivate me to win the game this time. I didn’t stare at it for a long time, I looked at it one time and said, ‘OK, let’s not have that again, let’s go on and win it’.”
That determination and self-belief was evident within seconds as he stepped up to take a penalty without even a kick of the ball. There was never a doubt in his mind.
Asked if he believes in fate, his reply suggested he and his teammates had a sense of destiny about Madrid, especially after their epic semi-final with Barcelona.
“I do believe in fate – of course,” he said with a smile. “I thought we would do something special. Absolutely. Everything happens for a reason, and the reason last year for us to lose the final was to come back and win it again.
“Our game is more about mentality, you have to believe in yourself and believe for the game. We believed.”
Were there nerves as he stood over the ball for what seemed an eternity as Moussa Sissoko’s handball was checked by VAR?
“I prepared myself before the game,” said Salah. “I scored a penalty to send Egypt to the World Cup after 28 years, last minute, so this time was easy.”
He was in relaxed mood after the game, chatting with the media, requesting they step back a little from the barrier to help those pinned at the front of the scrum.
His medal was clutched to his side as he delivered on a pre-match promise that should Liverpool win, he would spend time with the journalists who cover the club regularly. Clearly, he was delighted to oblige.
He said: “Sixth time for Liverpool, it’s something great. It’s great, just great, you know the final of the Champions League taking a penalty so early.
“It shows the courage, having the bottle to win the trophy, it’s just a great feeling.
“It’s the first trophy under Klopp, and the first trophy is the Champions League, something special for a first.
“It’s a wonderful feeling, and we will enjoy it…believe me.”