Mohamed Salah stole the headlines as Egypt won their opening game of AFCON 2-1.
It is that time of the year where Liverpool have to cope without Salah for an extended period of time due to his commitments to his national team, although they might be able to cope a little easier than in the past.
The 33-year-old has not been himself at all this season and left after dropping a bombshell with his public outburst, with no one too sure whether he will actually return.
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Gut feeling, has Mohamed Salah played his last game for Liverpool? If yes, how do you feel about it?
421 appearances
250 goals
114 assists
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His job now is to put on a show for his country and guide them to his first-ever AFCON title, with their campaign getting off to a good start after beating Zimbabwe.
Salah scored a 91st-minute winner to claim all three points, but the Egyptian media’s reaction to his performance sums him up perfectly.
Mohamed Salah’s goal overshadowed how poor he was for Egypt
Salah’s goalscoring record speaks for itself, with the winger one of the best to ever grace the Premier League, while being the greatest footballer his country has produced.
However, there is no denying that he is slowing up a little, with his performances for Liverpool proving just that.
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He was the same for Egypt during their AFCON opener too, with national media pointing out how much he struggled despite the goal.
Egypt's forward #10 Mohamed Salah scores the team's second goal during the Africa Cup of Nations (CAN) group B football match between Egypt and Zimbabwe at Adrar Stadium in Agadir
Photo by FRANCK FIFE / AFP via Getty Images
Al Jazeera, an Arabic broadcaster, wrote: “Salah had come into the tournament in Morocco under the spotlight following a fiery outburst after being dropped by the Premier League champions and struggled to find his rhythm for most of the match.”
As for Al-Ahram, Egypt’s most popular newspaper, they said: “The Liverpool forward had little influence for much of the contest but proved decisive at the death,” showing how the goal overshadowed a poor outing.
This sums Salah up as there have been multiple occasions where he has been sub-par but been saved by a goal he has scored, but he has not been able to get away with it this season.
His goals have dried up and the spotlight has started to be shone on him, something he has not liked one bit.
Who should replace Alexander Isak in Liverpool’s starting XI?
Arne Slot is running out of options…
Alexander Isak is helped off the field after picking up an injury after scoring for Liverpool against Tottenham
Photo by Marc Atkins/Getty Images
Liverpool’s attacking options heading into the Christmas period:
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When do Egypt and Mohamed Salah next play?
Now that he might have some more confidence after the goal, it will be interesting to see how Salah performs in his next game.
This comes on Boxing Day when they take on South Africa, another team who won their opener 2-1.
They then face Angola in the third and final game of the group stage, although their fate could already be sealed should they go into that game with two wins.
Liverpool fans will want Salah back as soon as possible due to Alexander Isak’s injury, but at the same time they would love him to win the tournament, suggesting it is a win-win whatever happens.
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