Liverpool salvaged a point in a 2-2 Premier League draw at Newcastle United on Sunday, while Mohamed Salah continued his impressive start in Turkey with a double for Trabzonspor
Mohamed Salah scored twice against Basaksehir(Image: Anadolu via Getty Images)
The Reds were seconds away from returning to Merseyside empty-handed before Dominik Szoboszlai’s late penalty secured a share of the spoils at St James’ Park – as Salah delivered a timely reminder of his quality in Turkey on the same afternoon.
Newcastle made a bright start under Andoni Iraola, taking the lead inside five minutes. Will Osula broke quickly after Liverpool gave the ball away deep in the Magpies’ half, releasing Anthony Elanga who had outpaced Milos Kerkez before squaring to the Sweden international, who finished from close range.
Cody Gakpo offered Liverpool hope with a long-range effort 10 minutes after the interval, only for Joe Willock to restore Newcastle’s advantage moments later in similar fashion. The England international collected Yoane Wissa’s pass before finding the net, with Iraola’s side defending desperately in the closing stages.
The visitors equalised in the fifth minute of added time when Victor Munoz was felled by Lewis Hall in the box, allowing Szoboszlai to step up and convert the resulting spot-kick.
The result will feel like a narrow escape for Liverpool, who were minutes from making the long journey home pointless, and serves as a warning for Iraola’s squad.
Salah’s departure has been one of the major narratives of the campaign, with the club facing an almost impossible task to replace the 34-year-old legend who drove the team forward during his nine-year spell at Anfield.
Supporters tracking the Egyptian’s new venture in the Turkish Super Lig may have felt envious watching him excel for his new employers during the same afternoon as Liverpool’s draw in the north east.
Salah began on the right flank for Trabzonspor as they hosted Istanbul Basaksehir at their home ground at 5pm, and required no time at all to make an impact. The forward demonstrated his predatory instincts to pounce on a fumble by goalkeeper Muhammed Şengezer, poking into the net from close range to give his side the advantage after eight minutes.
When Eldor Shomurodov equalised from the penalty spot just over 10 minutes later, Salah responded once more early in the second period. Receiving the ball on the right flank, he exchanged passes with Ernest Muçi before driving into the area, shifting onto his preferred left foot and finishing precisely into the corner.
The forward could have completed his hat-trick deep in stoppage time when he capitalised on Şengezer being stranded after rushing out for a last-gasp corner, but his effort was ruled out for offside as he had strayed too far forward into Basaksehir territory.
Liverpool are pursuing an ambitious move for Paris Saint-Germain’s Bradley Barcola as a potential replacement for Salah, though talks have encountered obstacles.
The French champions are demanding £145million for the 23-year-old, with Liverpool struggling to agree on a transfer fee. The Merseyside club are optimistic of negotiating the price down to between £111million and £128million, with reports suggesting their next proposal could be the one to complete the deal.
Liverpool now shift focus to Saturday’s Premier League encounter with Nottingham Forest at Anfield. Whether they will have moved closer to securing Salah’s long-term successor by then remains uncertain.