Liverpool forward Mo Salah was guilty of missing two of the Reds’ most clear cut chances in the 1-0 defeat to Atletico Madrid last night.
The 27-year-old saw a left-foot shot cannon off an Atletico defender’s head when he had a clear sight of goal before he headed wide when free in the box in the second half.
Manager Jurgen Klopp substituted Salah after 72 minutes and many fans on Twitter were not surprised:
Salah had a shocker tonight.
— Craig (@Craig70614642) 18 February 2020
Far too slow in build up tonight.
— Daz K (@Daz_K_) 18 February 2020
Not had a good game Salah
— stuart tetley (@TetleyStuart) 18 February 2020
Should have taken him off at HT
— ?????ZakK-LFC????? (@drugs_r_badMKay) February 18, 2020
FINALLY HE'S OFF
— Kopite19 (@retofa234) February 18, 2020
Had a poor game
— #LFC (@Sid_LFC) February 18, 2020
Were not scoring tonight, no point keeping him on to run around like a headless chicken
— Tíarnán Rogan (@Trogan_10) February 18, 2020
Yeah Salah is getting done today not his game mode
— desiologydj (@desiologydj) February 18, 2020
To be fair to Salah, neither of the opportunities were particularly easy, and when facing such a well-drilled team as Atletico, creating goal-scoring opportunities is very difficult, especially at the Wanda Metropolitano.
With Sadio Mane having been subbed at half time with Klopp fearing he would be sent off after picking up a yellow card in the first half, Liverpool’s attack had a distinctly unfamiliar look to it, and they will need a greater cutting edge when they play the second leg at Anfield next month.