Ray Houghton tore into Mohamed Salah against Everton before the Liverpool forward scored a brace to win the Merseyside derby 2-0 for Jurgen Klopp’s squad on Saturday.
The 31-year-old converted from the spot in the 75th minute to give Liverpool a lead at home to Everton. His second goal would follow in stoppage time as Salah swept another shot past Jordan Pickford. The Egyptian now has seven goals in nine Premier League games this term.
Referee Craig Pawson awarded Liverpool a late second-half penalty in front of the Kop after Michael Keane handled the ball. Salah confidently flashed home from 12 yards out to break the deadlock. It had been an otherwise frustrating time against 10 men for the Anfield team.
Houghton had ‘never seen Salah play this badly for Liverpool’
Liverpool held the one-man advantage throughout the second half after Pawson sent Ashley Young off. The right-back received two yellow cards in the first half for separate fouls on Luis Diaz. But it took until Keane handled the ball for Liverpool to score after struggling to create.
Houghton was astounded at how poorly Salah was performing prior to their penalty, as well. He tore into the Reds winger moments before Pawson pointed to the spot. Salah would later settle the Merseyside derby as Liverpool hit Everton on the counter-attack in stoppage time.
“Salah has had such a poor game, it’s unbelievable,” Houghton stated on talkSPORT (21/10, 13:58). “I’ve never seen him play this badly for Liverpool. I’d never take off a player who can win a game but he’s so far off the pace.”
Hughton was fair to criticise Salah’s Merseyside derby display
Despite Salah later scoring twice to seal Liverpool a 2-0 win over Everton, Houghton was fair to criticise his performance. The £350k-a-week star was not playing anywhere near the very high standards he sets before their penalty. But Salah was confident when it mattered most.
Salah nearly broke the deadlock earlier in the second half, too, but James Tarkowski covered for Jarrad Branthwaite’s slip. The Everton defender was alert to block the Egyptian’s shot on the line. And given Salah scored when it counted, the rest could ultimately be forgiven, too.
Liverpool coach Jurgen Klopp will also take into account the Merseyside derby being a 12:30 kick-off after an international break. But Houghton was fair to criticise Salah at that stage. It was not the winger’s best day, despite him bagging a second brace of the campaign thus far.
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