Skip to content
Analysis

Mohamed Salah gets Champions League final second chance when Liverpool face Tottenham

Salah suffered a dislocated shoulder during last year's Champions League final defeat to Real Madrid

Mohamed Salah's form has come under scrutiny this season

There were 25 minutes on the clock in last year's Champions League final when Mohamed Salah was sent crashing to the turf by Sergio Ramos, screaming in agony as he landed awkwardly on his right shoulder.

Liverpool had started the game strongly at Kiev's Olympic Stadium, with Salah leading the charge, but a few minutes after that fateful moment, and despite his best efforts to continue, the Egyptian was trudging towards the tunnel in tears. It was a blow from which the Reds would not recover.

The 3-1 loss left Liverpool - and Salah - to wonder what might have been. But one year on, Jurgen Klopp's side have the opportunity to put it all behind them for good. This time, Tottenham are the opponents, Madrid is the venue, and Salah is hoping to avoid any cruel twists of fate.

Klopp: Real Madrid loss made us stronger

Keita to miss Champions League final

 during the UEFA Champions League Final between Real Madrid and Liverpool at NSC Olimpiyskiy Stadium on May 26, 2018 in Kiev, Ukraine.
Image: Mohamed Salah left the field in tears during last year's final

Few expected him to get this far, of course. It seemed injury had curtailed Salah's Champions League involvement for another year when he was ruled out of their semi-final second leg against Barcelona due to a concussion. But that extraordinary 4-0 win at Anfield has given him a second chance. Last year's heartache will only enhance his determination to take it.

Another stunning season

Salah has not hit the scoring heights of last season this year. His overall total has fallen from 44 to 26 in all competitions. There was an eight-game scoreless streak from February to April. As a result, the 2017/18 PFA Player of the Year was not even on the shortlist for the award this time around.

Also See:

It is certainly fair to say Salah was not his usual self at times - his shoulder injury was still hampering him at the start of the season, and there was a positional tweak to get used to, too - but it is also true that Salah has been a victim of his own high standards. This year, after all, his total of 22 goals still put him joint-top of the Premier League scoring charts.

Mohamed Salah feature

His shot volume has dropped off slightly, from 4.4 per 90 minutes to 3.8 per 90 minutes this season, but his numbers for dribbles, passes and chances created are almost identical.

In fact, he averaged more touches in the opposition box per 90 minutes than he did last season. Salah was perhaps not quite as clinical in front of goal, but a little variation in shot conversion is not unusual. He still ranks top for Liverpool in nearly every attacking metric this season.

Much like last year, Salah also goes into Saturday's Champions League final in deadly form. Since that scoreless run between February and April, there have been six goals in nine appearances, including a goal of the season contender in the 2-0 win over Chelsea.

Tottenham beware

Tottenham will certainly be wary of him. The last meeting between the two sides, at Anfield at the end of March, ended with Salah's header bouncing into the net off Toby Alderweireld to seal a 2-1 win. "Mo Salah, you little dancer," exclaimed Jamie Carragher on Sky Sports. It feels like a long time ago now, but Spurs can ill-afford to leave him unmarked again.

Mohamed Salah and Danny Rose battle for possession during Tottenham's game against Liverpool at Wembley
Image: Mohamed Salah is likely to come up against Danny Rose

Salah tormented Spurs in the 2017/18 season, too, of course, scoring twice in a pulsating 2-2 draw at Anfield - his second goal a stunning individual effort which underlined just how dangerous he can be when cutting in from the right flank.

With Roberto Firmino fit again following a thigh injury, Salah will be expected to line up on that right flank once again at the Wanda Metropolitano stadium on Saturday. It will pit him up against Danny Rose, who has started each of their last four Champions League knockout games, but Spurs know it will take more than one man to contain him.

Follow the Champions League final on Sky Sports

You can follow all of the action of Tottenham vs Liverpool from the Wanda Metropolitano on the Sky Sports App and skysports.com with our dedicated Champions League final live blog, which will feature the best build-up, commentary and reaction from Madrid.

The Champions League final will take place on Saturday, June 1; Kick-off is at 8pm.

If reading on skysports.com, comment below to get involved in the debate, but please adhere to our House Rules. If you wish to report any comment, simply click on the down arrow next to the offending comment and click 'Report'.

Sky Sports Racing Selector
Sky Sports Racing Selector

Select 7 winners for your chance to win £1,000

Analysis

Around Sky