Mo is on the money as forward proves his worth to Reds
FOR some reason this one seemed special, this one was worth a booking, this one was worth milking even when his team-mates had drifted away.
And so Mo Salah stood, shirtless and encouraging the Anfield crowd’s acclaim.
They did not disappoint.
The roar for an emphatic close-range volley that put an end to Crystal Palace’s quest to draw level was loud and proud.
But then so was the approval when, earlier, Salah chased back into his own penalty area to carry out successful defensive duties.
Now that, rather than goal number 101 in the Premier League for Liverpool, was a collector’s item.
And amidst all the contract talk, perhaps it was meant to be symbolic of his commitment to the club.
Perhaps that is why the forward, 29, celebrated what was, after all, a fairly routine goal so wildly.
Perhaps that is why the jersey came off.
Or perhaps he just wanted to show off his physique, Cristiano Ronaldo-style, suggesting he can go on for as long as the Manchester United legend, 36.
In that case, why not ask for Ronaldo-style money when discussing an extension to the deal that runs out at the end of next season?
And if Liverpool have to break some sort of wage structure then surely they will have to bite the bullet.
Again, this was not his most spectacular strike, far from it.
But his lethal opportunism came at a point when Palace were threatening to score an equaliser.
They should have had one when substitute Odsonne Edouard was left alone in front of goal.
But the former Celtic striker made a hash of matters and after Salah struck – to add to Sadio Mane’s first-half strike – Patrick Vieira’s side gave up.
But Naby Keita’s out-of-the-blue hit still gave the scoreline a conviction that probably did not match Liverpool’s overall performance.
When the Reds’ title chances are discussed, the standard negative point is that their squad does not have enough in-depth quality but this was another occasion that just about suggested otherwise.
There was, for example, plenty to like about the belated debut of Ibrahima Konate.
It helps, of course, to have Virgil van Dijk as a partner.
And this was a backline that did not feature either Trent Alexander-Arnold or Andy Robertson.
If Liverpool want to compete for the main domestic and European honours, they will need to turn what is already a knack of winning games without key players into a habit.
And they will need to keep Salah fit and happy.
As far as the discussions over a new contract are going, Salah is doing his talking on the field.
And he is making a case for a salary that is up there with those enjoyed by the very highest earners in the game.