Liverpool have their first victory of the new Champions League season
Having surrendered a two-goal lead to Paris Saint-Germain at Anfield on Tuesday night, a stoppage time strike from Roberto Firmino saw the Reds take maximum points from their opening group game.
The Brazilian was brought on with little under 20 minutes of the game still to play having been withdrawn from the weekend win over Tottenham with an injury to his eye.
Liverpool had dominated the game from the early stages with PSG’s two goals very much against the run of play. This considered, Firmino’s winner came as something of a relief to the majority of those in attendance at Anfield.
In the seconds that followed the goal, Mo Salah – who had been replaced by Xherdan Shaqiri five minutes from the end – was seen throwing a water bottle to the floor while sitting on the Liverpool bench. Though many put the Egyptian’s reaction down to nothing more than relief, others appeared to think there was something strange about it.
Interesting reaction from Salah to his side beating PSG in the last minute 🤔🤔🤔🤔 pic.twitter.com/SqT0UbrigN
— ⚪🔴 JB 🔴⚪ (@JB_AFC7) September 18, 2018
Why is Mo Salah angry for the winning goal? Smh pic.twitter.com/LzsfASBMNt
— Lennox Bacela (@lennoxbacela) September 18, 2018
Hummm everyone says Ronaldo is selfish and hates it when he doesn’t score the winners. Look at Salah’s reaction to Liverpool winning that late one! Team player that lad eh? pic.twitter.com/hsYhiWCsWF
— Ian McKee (@ianmckee58) September 18, 2018
#LIVPSG Salah doesn’t look too happy, strange reaction #Salah #MoSalah pic.twitter.com/clboj9maVQ
— Copo (@Copo1966) September 18, 2018
Very strange reaction from Salah to Firmino’s winner!? 🤔🤔🤷🏽♂️ pic.twitter.com/nnYZaebPS0
— Moh Haider (@ArsenalMoh8) September 18, 2018
Of course, the idea that Salah was in some way angry or frustrated that his teammate had scored a last-gasp winner in an important Champions League group stage game is a little far-fetched.
Not that it was needed, but some people have since gone to the trouble of slowing down footage of the Liverpool bench’s initial reaction to the goal, clearly showing Salah did celebrate the goal (of course he did) and wasn’t in the least bit ‘angry’ at the situation (of course he wasn’t).
Clear video after Firmino goal showing Mo Salah reactions#MoSalah#Liverpool pic.twitter.com/ShHj7rfMXS
— Ahmed Abdelhakem (@AhmedAbdel7akem) September 18, 2018
Liverpool have won all of their games so far this season, sitting second in the Premier League behind Chelsea on goal difference.
They return to domestic action on Saturday when they welcome Southampton to Anfield. After that, they’ll face two games against Chelsea – one in the League Cup, the other in the league – before a Champions League trip to Napoli at the start of October. Their first game after this is a trip to face Manchester City at The Etihad, a game which could prove to be hugely important in this season’s title race.
