Mohamed Salah's no goal celebration will be the defining image of Liverpool's Champions League win over Roma
Liverpool 5-2 Roma: Out of deference and respect to the club that had restored him to the elite, Salah did not celebrate his goals against Roma
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Your support makes all the difference.Mohamed Salah didn’t want the world to know what it meant.
But Jordan Henderson sure as hell did. Trent Alexander-Arnold too.
Liverpool had come close before that curling, dipping, bar-clanging opener - close to eruption, close to disaster - but this one had got home. A goal to put Liverpool in front in a Champions League semi-final. A goal on the way to maybe making history once again.
Out of deference and respect to the club that had restored him to the elite, Salah did not celebrate. He turned his back on the ball he had just coaxed over Alisson, into Roma’s goal, and raised his arms with a glum look on his face. Inside, his heart was beating a hundred miles per hour. Around him Anfield was ablaze with celebration.
Alexander-Arnold and Henderson - Scouser and honorary Scouser respectively - were quickly on the scene, all pumping fists and guttural screams. They could be forgiven, bearing in mind the occasion, for feeling a goal of potentially such great importance and feel it they clearly did, coursing through every vein of their body.
Sadio Mane should already have had the goal. The Senegalese roadrunner was set through minutes before, leaving Federico Fazio so far in his wake that he more of an interested observer than someone who could realistically challenge for the ball. That effort went over. Salah’s didn’t. It went under, using the bottom of the crossbar as a scenic diversion on the way to finding its rightful home.
It felt as if it was always going to be Salah who would score it. And little surprise when it was Salah who would double it. Once again, no celebration. Once again, the delight of the arriving cavalry contrasting with the Egyptian’s sombre reaction.
Roberto Firmino seemed almost offended, pushing his teammate playfully in an attempt to extract a smile. The grin wasn’t coming but the happiness will be should they finish the job next week.
Thanks to Salah, Liverpool now have a vital lead heading to Rome where they face a date with destiny. Those in red feel they can beat anyone now. They are already wondering ‘what if?’
The late goals conceded shouldn't dampen the mood too much. This was a destructive display of attacking team football inspired by a genuinely great individual performance, and it'll likely be decisive enough to send them to a Champions League final.
Mo Salah may not have smiled when he scored, he may not have pumped his fists when he scored the next time, but he provided a fanbase desperate for success with yet more moments to be celebrated.
And he made clear is a player to be celebrated, even if he won’t join in himself.
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