Liverpool’s Egyptian king Mohamed Salah will put PSG behind him and fire the Reds to Carabao Cup glory, writes DYLAN JOHNSON.
After Liverpool’s disappointing loss to PSG in the UEFA Champions League, a different side to the Reds emerged, one that has not yet been seen under Arne Slot. Outplayed over two legs and falling in a miserable penalty shootout, there is little room for complaint.
PSG deserved their victory. But there is no time for dwelling on failure. This weekend presents a perfect opportunity to put things right, and the man who will lead the charge is none other than Mohamed Salah.
Salah has been on another level this season, delivering the best output of his career. With 32 goals and 22 assists in just 42 appearances, he has left his rivals trailing. He leads the Premier League Golden Boot race by seven goals ahead of Erling Haaland and sits comfortably at the top of the assist charts, seven ahead of Brentford’s Mikkel Damsgaard. He is not just Liverpool’s talisman, he is the standout performer in English football.
Liverpool will have the chance to claim their first trophy under Slot when they take on Eddie Howe’s Newcastle United in the Carabao Cup final at Wembley on Sunday. Salah will be the key, just as he has been all season. Last campaign, his numbers were still elite, but injuries and a dip in form towards the end of Jurgen Klopp’s farewell season meant he finished with 39 goal contributions.
This season, he already has 54, with nine league games still to play. Salah has evolved, not just as a scorer but as a complete forward, adding the creative genius of Kevin De Bruyne to his lethal finishing. He has registered both a goal and an assist in more than ten matches this season and is on track to break Thierry Henry’s long-standing assist record.
Liverpool will need Salah more than ever, especially with Trent Alexander-Arnold’s injury shifting the creative burden solely onto him. The final will also likely see him forge an unfamiliar partnership with Jarell Quansah, a centre-back who will be forced to fill in on the right due to injuries to Conor Bradley and Joe Gomez. Despite the challenges, Salah has shown time and again that he thrives under pressure.
Newcastle are dealing with their own selection issues ahead of the final. Star winger Anthony Gordon, a lifelong Liverpool fan, is suspended. First-choice centre-back Sven Botman and starting fullback Lewis Hall have both been ruled out for the rest of the season due to injury.
These setbacks leave the Magpies vulnerable, especially against a forward as ruthless as Salah. He has already tormented them in the league this season, scoring twice and providing two assists across their two encounters.
This final represents more than just silverware, it is a statement. For Salah, it is another opportunity to stamp his authority on English football and drive Liverpool toward a strong finish to the season. He has been unstoppable, and against a depleted Newcastle backline, there is little to suggest he won’t be the difference once again. Expect the Egyptian King to rise to the occasion, just as he always does when it matters most.
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