Salah back on the goal trail as Liverpool beat Huddersfield
HUDDERSFIELD, United Kingdom: Mohamed Salah ended a four-match goal drought for Liverpool with a sublime strike that secured a nervous 1- 0 Premier League victory away to Huddersfield on Saturday.
Salah has s t ruggled for consistency this season, and was a doubt for the trip to West Yorkshire after suf fering a hamstring problem while on international duty with Egypt during the week.
But in the 24th minute he steered in Xherdan Shaqiri’s pass to score his 50th goal in English club football, ensuring Liverpool ended Saturday level on points with league leaders Manchester City.
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp could be pleased his players showed the strength of character required to see out victory over a team coached by his long-time friend David Wagner, but there were only fleeting glimpses of the free-flowing attack that lit up the Premier League last season.
Then again, this was something of a mix-and-match Liverpool lineup.
Perhaps with Wednesday’s Champions League home match against Red Star Belgrade in mind, Klopp freshened up his front line, restricting Roberto Firmino to a late substitute appearance.
Sadio Mane was not risked after having surgery on a broken thumb during the week, so Daniel Sturridge made his first league start for Liverpool since last November, and midfielder Adam Lallana his first since New Year’s Day.
Klopp had warned this match, against opponents without a home goal since April, could be a trap, and he was right to be wary. Wagner knew just how to make life difficult for the title hopefuls, setting Huddersfield up with a back three and leaving them tight on the visitors’ front trio.
It was to Liverpool’s credit that they fashioned a goal of genuine class to break down stubborn opponents midway through the first half. — AFP