Football pundit Nigel Reo-Coker highlighted the importance of Liverpool legend Mohamed Salah as the injury crisis continues to grow
Former West Ham United captain Nigel Reo-Coker hyped Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah as the difference maker amid an injury crisis. Liverpool beat Brentford 1-4 in the Premier League away game to remain at the top of the table.
Salah made his long-awaited return from a hamstring injury during the game after replacing an injured Diogo Jota. He provided a fantastic assist in the second half for Alexis Mac Allister and later scored a goal, securing the win.
The Egypt captain joined his national side early in January to represent them in the AFCON tournament. However, he suffered a hamstring injury that kept him sidelined even after Egypt’s elimination from the competition.
The 31-year-old has continued his prolific career for the Reds despite the change in tactical responsibility this season. Instead of playing narrower as an inside forward from the right-wing position, Jurgen Klopp deployed him much wider.
Salah has relied more on technique, creativity and link-up play with his teammates than relying on his dribbling and pace. Nevertheless, he has maintained his goalscoring and only added more to his assist tallies, adapting instantly to the new role.
Speaking on BBC Sounds, Reo-Coker outlined the importance of Salah particularly at the time when Liverpool have an injury crisis. He said:
“You don’t want to overstate it but Salah is Liverpool. He makes a big, big difference for them. He’s their safety net and having that makes people feel more comfortable.” Even with Jota going off injured, you can still have a front line of Salah, Cody Gakpo and Luis Diaz. That’s a side that still have the ability to win a game. Jota is the biggest loss for me because second to Salah he is the most clinical, and now is when you need to be firing on all cylinders. It will be interesting to see how long he is out for.”
Mohamed Salah has been directly involved in more goals than any other player in the Premier League this season (24):
— Squawka (@Squawka) February 17, 2024
15 goals
9 assists
It's like he's never been away. pic.twitter.com/eJUlnKpnLn
Despite the victory against the Bees, the Reds lost Darwin Nunez, Jota and Curtis Jones to injury. Liverpool are already without several important first-team players which includes Trent Alexander-Arnold and number one goalkeeper Alisson Becker.
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Salah’s return is a major boost for the Reds, and they need him to continue his prolific form. Liverpool are also taking each of the cup competitions seriously with the impressive ambition of completing the quadruple. Finishing the season strongly would be a fantastic farewell gift for Klopp, who has announced that he is stepping back after this season.
