Sky Sports pundit thinks ‘magnificent’ Liverpool star risked teammate’s anger vs LASK

Add as preferred source on Google

Sky Sports pundit Aaron McLean has praised Mohamed Salah for being ‘selfish’ when scoring as Liverpool beat LASK. But he also felt the winger risked upsetting Luis Diaz.

The Anfield natives kicked off their Europa League campaign with a 3-1 win at the Raiffeisen Arena on Thursday night. Florian Flecker (14’) stunned the home ground when he gave LASK an early lead over Liverpool. Yet the Reds ensured they returned to England with the points.

Flecker delighted the Austrian Bundesliga team’s fans when he fired home from the edge of the area. But Philipp Ziereis gifted Liverpool the chance to equalise that Darwin Nunez (56’) did not waste. He caught Luis Diaz in the box while attempting a block to concede a penalty.

Salah stuns as Liverpool beat LASK in the Europa League

Diaz (63’) then got amongst the goals, himself, to put Liverpool ahead at LASK after meeting Harvey Elliott’s low cross. While Nunez connected with Salah (88’) late on to settle the clash in the late stages. Salah created something special to score after helping Nunez win the ball.

Salah gave Andres Andrade no time to set himself as Liverpool gave possession to the LASK defender. His pressure helped Nunez grab the ball back before slotting it into Salah, who had stayed alert to the space. The winger then left two defenders in his wake before firing home.

Tobias Lawal was helpless to prevent Salah from scoring Liverpool’s third goal as the forward drilled the ball through the LASK goalkeeper’s legs. Ex-Peterborough United striker, McLean, admired the 31-year-old’s decision to shoot as players sometimes have to be ‘selfish’ to net.

McLean feels Salah risked annoying Diaz by being ‘selfish’

But the Leyton Orient product also feels Salah risked annoying Diaz had he missed. The 26-year-old was in a position to bag a brace at the Raiffeisen Arena when Salah scored. He had hung back near the penalty spot as Salah broke through, with Elliott also in close proximity.

“He could have squared it but a good striker has to be selfish now and then,” McLean told Sky Sports News. “There were two men waiting and if he hadn’t scored, Luis Diaz wouldn’t have been happy. But that’s [his] 43rd (*42nd) European goal for Liverpool. Magnificent.”