Steve Nicol is not completely convinced that Mohamed Salah has turned a corner for Liverpool despite a stunning goal in Wednesday’s win over Galatasaray.
It had looked like being another difficult evening for the Egyptian after he missed the chance to put the Reds ahead in the tie by fluffing a tame penalty.
However, Salah rolled back the years in the second-half, setting up Hugo Ekitike with a brilliant assist, before curling in a trademark effort for his 50th Champions League goal.
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Arne Slot reacts with frustration during Liverpool's UEFA Champions League last-16 second-leg against Galatasaray at Anfield (Credit: Getty Images/Carl Recine).
Photo Credit: Getty Images/Carl Recine
Nicol has been critical of Salah all season, though, and the Liverpool legend said that he’ll wait to see what he serves up against Brighton on Saturday before changing his opinion.
Nicol still hesitant on Salah comeback
As ever, Nicol appeared on ESPN FC to dissect Liverpool’s midweek win, and when asked whether Salah is ‘back’ and could ‘salvage some form’ heading into the end of the season, the former full-back sounded a word of caution.
“I think you should ask me that question after Brighton at the weekend,” Nicol answered.
“Because, as much as it’s a 4-0 win and I’m saying it’s one game, it’s also one game for him and a game in which his penalty absolutely screamed of no confidence, then all of a sudden he pulls out coming in on the left foot and whips it into the top corner, which he hasn’t done for 12 months.”
Mohamed Salah scores for Liverpool during their UEFA Champions League last-16 second-leg match against Galatasaray at Anfield.
Photo by Alfie Cosgrove/News Images/NurPhoto via Getty Images
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“So, ask me after Brighton. If he can put another performance together where he does whip balls into the top corner, and he does assist, then maybe we can start talking about anybody being back, particularly him.
“It’s great to see, it just shows you what he’s still capable of and boy have we missed it, so let’s hope we do see a lot more of it starting at Brighton at the weekend.”
Analysis: Salah may not start against Brighton
Although nobody will want to build on his Champions League stunner more than Salah himself, there is a big chance that the 33-year-old does not play against Brighton on Saturday.
“Injury-wise, he [Salah] was asking for a substitution, not because he thought he had scored enough but that he felt something, so let’s see where he is for the weekend and afterwards,” Slot said after the game.
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Mohamed Salah scores a free-kick during Liverpool's UEFA Champions League match against Qarabag at Anfield (Credit: Getty Images/Ed Sykes/Sportsphoto/Allstar).
Photo Credit: Getty Images/Ed Sykes/Sportsphoto/Allstar
With an international break to come, Liverpool clearly do not play for a while, and with Egypt playing only one meaningless friendly against Spain this month, there is less sense of risk about involving Salah on Saturday and having him then miss subsequent matches.
However, if there is any hint of an injury being about to happen, Liverpool will not pick their veteran superstar.
Salah has been good off the bench for the Reds this season, and maybe that is where his involvement will come.
But, sadly, Nicol and the Liverpool fans desperate to see their hero return to his usual ways may have to wait until after the international break to see it happen.
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