Mohamed Salah’s Uncharacteristic Game in Carabao Cup Final: Setting an Unwanted Record
In a surprising turn of events during Sunday’s Carabao Cup final, Liverpool’s star forward, Mohamed Salah, found himself on the wrong side of history. As Newcastle United clinched a well-deserved 2-1 victory over Liverpool, ending their 70-year wait for a major domestic trophy, Salah inadvertently set a negative milestone in his otherwise glittering Liverpool career.
Despite this setback, it’s crucial to acknowledge the exceptional season Salah has been enjoying. Throughout the 2024/25 campaign, he has been a pivotal figure for the Reds. His impressive tally of 32 goals and 22 assists in all competitions speaks volumes about his consistent high performance. Liverpool currently sit comfortably within the coveted Champions League spots in the Premier League, and Salah’s contributions have been instrumental in their campaign.
Under the guidance of manager Arne Slot, Salah has consistently displayed peak form in recent months, showing no signs of fatigue or diminished impact leading up to the final. His influence in the Premier League has been particularly remarkable.
Consider these key stats that highlight Salah’s Premier League dominance this season:
- Salah has both scored and assisted in an astounding 11 Premier League matches in the 2024/25 season.
- This achievement is unmatched in Europe’s top five leagues since Lionel Messi accomplished a similar feat in the 2014/15 season.
- He stands alone as the first Premier League player to surpass 25 goals and 15 assists in a single season, demonstrating his dual threat as both a scorer and creator.
However, the Carabao Cup final against Newcastle presented a stark contrast to Salah’s usual brilliance. In a match that mattered greatly, he delivered what many observers considered to be one of his least effective performances in a Liverpool shirt.
The statistics from the game at Wembley painted a clear picture of Salah’s struggles. He recorded a mere 23 touches of the ball, a surprisingly low number for a player of his caliber in a full 90+ minute appearance.
According to football data experts Opta, this Carabao Cup final marked an unprecedented event in Salah’s Liverpool tenure. For the first time in his Liverpool career, in a match where he played the entirety of regular and added time, Mohamed Salah failed to register a single shot attempt or create a single scoring opportunity for his teammates. Tino Livramento, Newcastle’s full-back, is widely being credited for playing a key role in nullifying Salah’s attacking threat through an outstanding defensive display.
Opta further described Salah’s performance as “uncharacteristic,” emphasizing how out of the ordinary it was compared to his usual high standards.
Pundits React to Salah’s Performance and Liverpool’s Attack Needs
The subdued nature of Salah’s game did not go unnoticed by prominent football commentators. During Sky Sports’ coverage of the final, former Manchester United defender and pundit Gary Neville voiced his surprise, stating, “I’ve never seen Mo Salah as quiet as I have in this game.” He further highlighted Salah’s minimal involvement, noting, “He has had three touches, 25 minutes into this second half.”
Fellow Sky Sports pundit and Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher offered a different perspective, expressing a sense of sympathy for Salah. Carragher pointed to broader issues within Liverpool’s attack following Newcastle’s 2-1 victory, secured with goals from Dan Burn and Alexander Isak.
Carragher analyzed Liverpool’s attacking dynamics, saying:
- “I think the lack of pace in attack is glaring.”
- He empathized with Salah, recalling past criticism after matches against Paris Saint-Germain where he faced a formidable opponent in Mendes.
- Carragher argued, “He doesn’t get help from the other attackers. This isn’t like under Jurgen Klopp where [Sadio] Mane or [Roberto] Firmino could bail them out of trouble.”
Carragher contrasted the current Liverpool attack with the team’s previous era of success, emphasizing that while the current attacking players are “good players,” they are “not great players” in the same way as the previous trio. He concluded that Liverpool’s over-reliance on Salah has been exposed and that the club needs to address this by investing in at least two impactful attackers in the transfer market, not just for squad depth, but to potentially play alongside Salah and revitalize their forward line for the next season.
What are your thoughts on Mohamed Salah’s performance in the Carabao Cup final and Liverpool’s attacking dynamics? Share your opinions in the comments below!