Egypt’s progression at the Africa Cup of Nations has been powered by Mo Salah’s goals – and his delayed return for Liverpool is actually good news for Arne Slot
Mohamed Salah was delighted after scoring vs Benin(Image: FRANCK FIFE / AFP via Getty Images)
With the round-of-16 contest deep into added time at the end of extra-time, Egypt held a one-goal lead over Benin but were coming under severe pressure. A long throw-in was sent into the Egyptian penalty area and when it was cleared, the ball found its way to a scampering Mohamed Salah just inside the opposition half.
The goalkeeper advanced and then thought better of it, but it was too late. From 30 yards out, Salah curved an outside-of-the-boot, left-footed finish past him and his nation’s advancement into the last eight of the Africa Cup of Nations was secure. Salah’s smile looked as though it would never leave his face.
It was an image that should not just cheer Egyptians, it should cheer Liverpool fans. Perhaps this adventure with his national team could not have come at a better time for the player and his club.
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At that moment on Monday, Salah looked to have his mojo back. That can only be good for all concerned. And he gave an interview after the game, not of the type that got him dropped by Arne Slot.
Instead, he spoke about the honour of representing his country. It was Salah without the baggage of club football.
Egypt are not strongly fancied to win the tournament but since his first cap over 14 years ago, it has been his dream to have success with Egypt. He is a fierce patriot and takes his role as a role model for young Egyptians very, very seriously.
Liverpool boss Arne Slot suggested the rift with Mo Salah has been healed(Image: Simon Stacpoole/Offside/Offside via Getty Images)
Egypt’s continued involvement in AFCON – they have a quarter-final tie on Saturday – means Salah misses Liverpool’s Premier League engagement at Arsenal. And, of course, he will take no part in Monday’s FA Cup tie against Barnsley, regardless of what happens in Morocco at the weekend.
That means Salah will have missed a minimum of six club matches when he returns to Liverpool action. And, right now, there has been nothing to suggest he will not be returning to Liverpool action.
When he went on a lap of appreciation at the end of the win over Brighton at Anfield last month, even captain Virgil van Dijk said he was not certain that Salah would play for Liverpool again. But that scenario now looks unlikely, particularly as Alexander Isak is on the sidelines for a while and Hugo Ekitike has some fitness issues.
Mo Salah went on a ‘lap of appreciation’ after his most recent game at Anfield(Image: Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA/Getty Images)
Slot needs all the attacking options he can get. Liverpool have operated decently while their Footballer of the Year has been away, winning two and drawing two of their four Premier League matches.
But, equally, they have clearly missed the threat an in-form Salah could bring to the side. The problem was that Salah was not in peak form in the first half of Liverpool’s season, scoring only five times and making four assists in 20 appearances.
But at AFCON, he has now scored three goals in three games. On an international stage he clearly loves, Salah might just be playing himself back into form. Which is good news for Egyptians … and should be good news for Liverpool fans.
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