Mohamed Salah has enjoyed the perfect start to his Liverpool career. Having joined from Roma, the team Liverpool is about to face in the Champions League semi-final, the jury was out on the Egyptian.
Above Expectations
source: tribuna.com
However, the 25-year-old age Salah has proved everyone wrong and performed wildly above expectations this season.
To date, there is not one element of Salah’s contribution to Liverpool’s season in both the Premier League and Champions League, which can be brought into question. While he was unable to lead Liverpool to the one trophy they really crave, the Premier League title, Salah has been exemplary but that may be about to change.
A Poor Reaction
source: Stadium Astro
Liverpool and Salah suffered a disappointing 0-0 draw at home with relegation-threatened Stoke City on Saturday and this leaves the Reds unsure of a top-four finish this season. There were many incidents in the match which have since come under scrutiny, one of which was the way Salah appeared to throw a punch at defender Bruno Martins Indi in the first half.
There has been little to suggest this season that Salah is the type of player who would lash out at an opponent. However, every person can reach their limit, especially in a physical sporting environment and things were not working out for Salah or his team on Saturday.
The Egyptian had earlier missed a great chance to give Liverpool the lead and if Salah had taken that chance, the result would have been a lot different. Perhaps this was playing on Salah’s mind when he came in for some close attention from the Stoke defence and as he laid the ball off to a teammate, Salah swung his left arm towards the face of Martins Indi.
The Stoke defender managed to move his head out of the way of the flailing arm but his evasive action may not be enough to prevent Salah from receiving a ban.
Potential Ban
source: This Is Anfield
Footage of the incident will be reviewed by three former Premier League officials to determine whether Salah should have been sent off. Referee, Andre Marriner failed to take any action during the match and if all three Premier League officials agree Salah should have been sent off, he will be banned for Liverpool’s two remaining Premier League games.
This will surely have an impact on Salah’s quest for the golden boot, as Harry Kane will be looking on with delight if the Liverpool man is suspended. In addition, the top four is not yet secure and if Salah was to miss the match at Chelsea next weekend, Liverpool could be in for a very nervous finish to the Premier League season.