Liverpool failed to mount the comeback of all comebacks last night as they went out of Europe against Atalanta.
Despite scoring early in the second leg, Liverpool ran out of gas once again as Atalanta played the tie out to send one of the favourites packing.
Of course, coming back from 3-0 down was always going to be tough.
But Liverpool have done it before and after Mo Salah scored an early penalty, many Reds fans must have thought another memorable comeback win was on.
It wasn’t to be, though, as Liverpool huffed and puffed without finding another goal.
However, things could have been different had the aforementioned Salah stuck away a golden chance which in the end, came off his shin and went nowhere near.
And speaking about that chance and Salah’s form in general for ESPN FC, former Red Steve Nicol admitted he’s not happy with what he’s seeing from the Egyptian lately.
Steve Nicol unhappy with Mo Salah after Liverpool v Atalanta
Speaking about Salah’s miss last night and his form in general of late, Nicol admitted he was far from impressed with the £34m man recently.
“If Mo Salah puts that in the back of the net I think Liverpool go onto at least extra-time and if not win the game. I think it’s that important. It’s horrible. I think, I’ve said it the last few weeks, Liverpool going forward, whether it’s Salah, Diaz, Nunez, anyone else, are off form. It’s five games since Liverpool scored from open play. They haven’t scored a goal in open play since Sheffield United,” Nicol said.
“You cannot win games when your frontline is in that sort of form. And that summed up the form Mo Salah has been in since he came back from injury. Just, off the pace, touch is gone, and when you’re off the pace and touch is gone, the confidence is gone. That chance today was about as simple as it gets. It just takes a bit of accuracy and a decent connection and my goodness, I think it comes off his shin.”
Liverpool could have a decision to make on Mo Salah this summer
While Salah has had a good season in the main and once again been a key player for Liverpool, there will be some inside Anfield who feel it might be time to move on.
Last summer, Liverpool fought off interest from Saudi Arabia and Salah remained on Merseyside.
However, with his form of late and other factors going on at the club, Liverpool might well be hoping that Saudi interest comes about again this year.
With Jurgen Klopp going and FSG looking at a new direction, could it be the ideal time to let Salah go as well?
Who knows, but his form of late will have cast doubt in the minds of some and Salah needs a strong finish to the season to show he is still the same player we’ve all grown to admire.