Paul Merson has claimed that Mo Salah goes to the left ‘all the time’ when he takes penalties for Liverpool, as he criticised Kepa Arrizabalaga during Chelsea’s League Cup final defeat at Wembley on Sunday, as he told Sky Sports.
The former double-winner also pointed out that, for Virgil van Dijk’s penalty, the substituted Chelsea keeper stood on the side that the Liverpool defender at, yet he ‘still never got near it’.
The Wembley final showdown may have finished 0-0 after extra time, but it was perhaps one of the most entertaining goalless draws that supporters will see in a final.
The only thing that was missing during the game were goals and perhaps a sending off, and in truth, Chelsea fans felt that Naby Keita deserved a red for his high boot on Trevoh Chalobah in the second half.
Nonetheless, Merson made it clear that if Edouard Mendy stayed in between the sticks, then Chelsea are League Cup winners and not Liverpool.
“I just couldn’t work it out,” said Merson. “Chelsea would be Carabao Cup winners if Mendy was in goal. I can’t remember him [Kepa] getting near a penalty.
“Salah goes to the left all the time and he [Kepa] went the other way. The [Virgil] van Dijk one – he was standing on that side of the goal and he still never got near it.
“Have a rough idea what you are coming up against. Do your homework.”
Whilst Salah and Van Dijk’s penalties are being talked about above, the best one of the lot was perhaps Fabinho’s.
The Brazilian may not showcase magic skills or flair normally associated with players from that country when he is out on that pitch.
But, his Panenka was one full of pure confidence, filth and arrogance from the defensive-minded midfielder.
Nonetheless, that’s one trophy in the cabinet for the Reds this season and they will now be hoping to add a few more during these final few months.
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