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Mohamed Salah’s seven-year streak of scoring in the opening week of the Premier League season came to an end at the 77th minute on Sunday during the Reds’ game against Chelsea. Liverpool were still on level terms with the hosts when manager Jurgen Klopp decided to substitute Salah for Harvey Elliott. The Egyptian did not take the decision very well, angrily tearing off his hand tape and storming straight into the Liverpool camp without acknowledging Klopp. The game ended in a draw after both sides had goals disallowed by VAR.
Chelsea fans joked that Salah should be fined for littering after the forward was seen tearing off his protective tape and throwing it to the ground at Stamford Bridge. It was surely a difficult decision to make for the Liverpool boss, but the game had reached a stalemate and it was necessary to change things up dynamically to force an advantage. Salah was in excellent form during the first half of the game, as he assisted Luis Diaz in opening the scoring and then scored on his own. Unfortunately his goal was ruled offside through VAR, but it looked like a breakthrough was imminent.
Jurgen Klopp, for his part, is not at all concerned about Salah’s reaction. In fact, the German appreciated his competitive drive and desire.
Klopp stated, "I can understand because if Mo scored it would have been a new record for goals scored in the opening game but I didn't think about that. We needed stability and we needed fresh legs. It was super intense for everybody. That's all I can say about it, his reaction was absolutely okay. When I sub a player and he is jumping in to my arms at 1-1 and he is a striker who thinks he will score, I would be really surprised so that's absolutely fine."
Liverpool hold Chelsea to draw after late scare
Either side could have come out victorious in this game, especially the hosts who squandered a near perfect chance right at the death. Nicolas Jackson used his strength and balance to make a decisive run before Mykhaylo Mudryk found himself ahead of the keeper. Unfortunately the Liverpool goal line was flooded with players and eventually the ball was blocked.
Both teams had goals disallowed as yet another Liverpool Chelsea fixture ended in a draw. The last six meetings between the two sides have ended in a draw.
