LONDON: Mohamed Salah will continue his record goalscoring form until the end of the season, according to his manager Jurgen Klopp.
The Egyptian star has scored 23 goals for Liverpool in all competitions since arriving at Anfield in the summer, equalling a club record set by Roger Hunt in 1961/62 for the most goals in a campaign before the turn of the year.
And despite a minor injury concern for the striker in Liverpool’s 2-1 win over Leicester on Saturday, Klopp was full of praise for his player and said he could not envisage Salah’s form dropping in the second half of the season.
“Mo can keep that standard for sure. It’s not just about scoring only, it’s about other situations. He is so important for us,” he said. “He knows and I know he could not score without support of the other boys. But yes, I think he can keep the standard.”
Salah’s fine domestic form — 17 Premier League goals and six in the Champions League — has been mirrored on the international stage too. In 11 appearances for his country this year, he has notched five goals, including an injury-time penalty against Congo that sent the Pharaohs to their first World Cup since 1990.
Egypt’s head coach Hector Cuper has also praised Salah, tipping him to become a “great” and good enough to play for the very best teams. Cuper told Spanish newspaper Marca: “Without doubt he is the star of the team. Salah is a very good player who has the ability to play for Real Madrid.”
Salah, whose talent came into question during his torrid spell at Chelsea in 2014 amid criticism about his ability, has silenced any doubters after an outstanding first half of the season back in England. Since his time at Stamford Bridge, he has had successful stints at Italian sides Fiorentina and Roma, before joining Liverpool last year.
Speaking to Sky Sports, Salah said Klopp’s clear vision helped him settle at his new club. “At the beginning when I signed (for Liverpool) it was a bit different to Rome. But soon I knew what the coach wanted from me and the quality of players makes everything easier for me. From the first day I knew what I wanted to do and I scored goals in the pre-season, so I had a good start.”
And Salah is predicting a successful year for himself and his new club. “I am always saying I want to win titles here. I came here to win titles. To win something for the club, for us, for the fans. I would love to win something here. We are working hard every day to win something and I am sure we will this year,” he added.
Egypt star Mohamed Salah sets the standard at Liverpool
Egypt star Mohamed Salah sets the standard at Liverpool
Patriots reach Super Bowl in blizzard-hit 10-7 win over Broncos
LOS ANGELES, US: Quarterback Drake Maye led the New England Patriots to their first Super Bowl appearance since the glory days of predecessor Tom Brady with a blizzard-ravaged 10-7 win over the Denver Broncos Sunday.
In a low-scoring AFC Championship game played out in brutal conditions, Maye rushed for a first-half touchdown, and painstakingly drove the ball downfield after the break to set up a decisive field goal.
No further scoring was possible in the 21 degrees F storm, with the Patriots’ white uniforms barely visible as players slipped and slid across the snow.
“We battled the elements,” said Maye.
“These conditions, it’s not great throwing the football. But hey, we do what we need to do... We’re off to the Super Bowl. Let’s go!“
The Patriots will play either the Los Angeles Rams or the Seattle Seahawks at Super Bowl LX in Santa Clara, California, on February 8.
The win cements a remarkable resurgence for the Patriots.
After the dominant era of the Brady dynasty that yielded six Super Bowl titles, New England have endured a painful rebuild, going 3-14 in both the previous two seasons.
But under new head coach Mike Vrabel they were a revelation this season, winning 17 games so far and topping the tough AFC East for the first time since 2019.
‘Costly’
Prior to kickoff, all eyes were on the Broncos’ perennial backup quarterback Jarrett Stidham, who had not thrown a pass in competitive football for two years.
The 29-year-old was thrust into the spotlight when Broncos’ first-choice Bo Nix broke his ankle in the dying moments of last weekend’s victory over the Buffalo Bills.
An understandably nervy Stidham was swiftly and repeatedly blitzed by the Patriots, throwing a wild incomplete pass on an opening drive that ended with a punt.
Moments later his epic 54-yard hurl to Marvin Mims Jr paid off spectacularly, caught deep downfield. Stidham then found Courtland Sutton for the opening TD.
Stidham grew in confidence as the first half progressed, without adding to the lead. The Broncos declined a straightforward field goal attempt at 4th&1 on New England’s 14-yard line, and gave up a turnover on downs.
Then disaster struck, as Stidham fumbled on the Broncos’ 14-yard line for a turnover. Maye, who had been struggling badly, rushed for a touchdown and a 7-7 half-time score.
The fumble would prove “costly,” Broncos head coach Sean Payton admitted after the game.
‘Sick’
The dense snowstorm descended on Denver at the break, making passing difficult and forcing both teams to rely on their run games.
An attritional 18-play drive lasting nearly 10 minutes led to a field goal and slender lead for New England.
The conditions became almost comically treacherous, with multiple players slipping and sliding on nearly every barely-visible play.
Both sides missed multiple field goals in swirling cross-winds, including one blocked by Patriots tackle Leonard Taylor’s fingertips.
With the two-minute warning looming, Stidham attempted a hugely risky 30-yard pass and gave away an interception that proved vital in whiteout conditions.
“It was good at first, and then snow started coming down, wind blowing, I couldn’t see,” said defensive tackle Milton Williams.
“I’m coughing. I’m probably sick right now. But none of that matters. All that matters is that we won the game and we’re going to the Bowl.”
The Patriots, who already boasted the most Super Bowl appearances with 11, will now have their twelfth showing on American football’s biggest stage, and a chance to vie for a record seventh Lombardi trophy.
Vrabel, who won three Super Bowls playing alongside Brady for the Patriots, would be the first person to win the sport’s ultimate prize as a player and coach for the same franchise.
“I won’t win it — it’ll be the players that will win the game, I promise you,” said Vrabel.
