The Egyptian scored two goals and created another at St. James' Park, but his efforts to win the game were undone by a dire error
Talk about timing! Just as plenty of pundits were making a case for Caoimhin Kelleher to continue as Liverpool's starting goalkeeper, the Irishman cost his side victory in an absorbing 3-3 draw with Newcastle on Wednesday.
The Reds were unusually ragged for most of the game, and their shot-stopper had actually played his part in keeping them in the game during a dreadful first half. As it was, they only went in trailing at the interval to a stunning strike from Alexander Isak.
The second half was all about Mohamed Salah, who set up Curtis Jones for one equaliser, and then scored another himself from a Trent Alexander-Arnold assist after Anthony Gordon had put Newcastle back in front. Salah and Alexander-Arnold combined again for what looked like the winner with just seven minutes remaining, but then Kelleher inexplicably decided to leave a Bruno Guimaraes free-kick, and that allowed Fabian Schar to steal in to score.
GOAL rates all of the Reds on show as Salah's heroics were ultimately overshadowed by the most ill-timed of errors from Kelleher, who cost his Premier League-leading side two precious points – and just before Alisson Becker's return from injury…
Getty Images SportGoalkeeper & Defence
Caomhin Kelleher (5/10):
Absolutely nothing he could have done about Isak's goal and made a huge save from Gordon in a one-on-one, but why he didn't claim the cross at the end is anyone's guess – and will haunt him when he returns to the bench after Alisson's return to the starting line-up.
Jarell Quansah (4/10):
A surprise choice to start on the right-hand side of the defence and he unsurprisingly struggled against Gordon.
Joe Gomez (3/10):
Just like Liverpool, nowhere near the level he produced against Manchester City on Sunday. Desperately fortunate to get away with putting Gordon straight through on goal in the first half and was beaten far too easily by the England winger in the second. Hauled off midway through the second half.
Virgil van Dijk (4/10):
Rightly drew plenty of praise for his dominance of Erling Haaland on Sunday, but he has to take the blame here for losing Isak on the opener.
Andy Robertson (5/10):
Created some decent openings going forward but looked vulnerable from a defensive perspective throughout.
AdvertisementAFPMidfield
Ryan Gravenberch (4/10):
For the first time this season, the Dutch defensive midfielder was put under serious pressure and struggled to exert his usual influence over Liverpool's game as a result. Consequently, he was hauled off midway through the second half.
Curtis Jones (7/10):
The only midfielder to play anything like his usual level. Jones was typically excellent in terms of keeping possession and also popped with a wonderfully well-timed equaliser.
Alexis Mac Allister (6/10):
The Argentine had a couple of great early efforts – one of which struck the post – and he threw himself into tackles, but he was too often rolled too easily by the likes of Bruno Guimaraes and he picked up a booking that rules him out of the Merseyside derby.
Getty Images SportAttack
Mohamed Salah (9.5/10):
Pretty anonymous during the first half but utterly unstoppable in the second. The top scorer in this season's Premier League now and undoubtedly the best player in the world on current form. Just so decisive – and worth his weight in goals. Liverpool need to pay him whatever he wants!
Darwin Nunez (4/10):
Looked certain to score when Gakpo's header bounced across an open goal, but the Uruguayan just couldn't make contact – which came as no great surprise, really, as he barely managed to touch the ball all game.
Cody Gakpo (6/10):
Liverpool's only bright spark in attack in the first half and will be so frustrated that he didn't manage to stick away the two chances that came his way at 1-1.
Getty Images SportSubs & Manager
Trent Alexander-Arnold (7/10):
Made an instant impact when coming off the bench by setting up two goals for Salah, but was also rather fittingly booked for hauling down Gordon. You have to take the rough with the smooth when it comes to Alexander-Arnold.
Dominik Szoboszlai (6/10):
Came on for Gravenberch and put himself about.
Luis Diaz (6/10):
Took over on the left flank from Gakpo for the final quarter, but didn't contribute much.
Arne Slot (6.5/10):
Plenty to concern Slot here. Liverpool were overwhelmed during the first half and horrible defensively for the majority of the game. The introduction of Alexander-Arnold certainly paid off but, let's be honest, Salah's brilliance can't disguise what was a poor performance. Liverpool wouldn't have even got themselves in a position to win the game without him. Slot has some work to do ahead of the weekend meeting with Everton, as another sluggish start simply can't be tolerated.
