Mohamed Salah became the first ever Liverpool player to score in nine consecutive games as he scored a brace in the club’s 3-2 win over Atletico Madrid in the Champions League.
The Egyptian, who has returned to his best for the Reds this campaign, broke the deadlock to reach the historic milestone in only the eighth minute of the Group B clash.
It looked as if the goal would be taken away from Salah given it took a deflection off James Milner, but he will have been relieved to see his name pop up on the scoreboard.
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Jurgen Klopp’s side appeared on course for a comfortable evening in Spain as Naby Keita doubled their lead with a volley in the 13th minute, but the hosts drew level thanks to a brace from Griezmann.
But, the game took another twist in the 52nd minute as Griezmann waa sent off by referee Daniel Siebert for a high foot on Roberto Firmino.
The red card seemed to galvanise the Reds and the pressure told as Mario Hermoso brought down Diogo Jota with a foul inside the box. Salah made no mistake with the penalty and the visitors held firm for the remaining 12 minutes to secure win.
The result saw Jurgen Klopp’s side go five points clear of La Liga champions Atletico Madrid at the top of the group.
Such was Diego Simeone’s frustration, he declined the opportunity to shake hands with Klopp after the game and instead went straight down the tunnel at the Wanda Metropolitano.
‘I don’t always greet (the other manager) after the game because I don’t like it,’ Simeone explained when asked about the incident after the match.
‘It’s not healthy for either the winner or the loser. I think of it that way. ‘But now, when I see him, I’ll greet him without a problem.’
Speaking ahead of the game on beIN SPORTS, former Arsenal head coach Arsene Wenger named Salah as the best striker in the world based on current form.
‘He’s top, top class and he’s certainly the best striker at the moment in the world because he scores goals that nobody else can score,’ the iconic Frenchman said.
‘You have to play street football to dribble past people like that in a short space. ‘He’s full of confidence and he’s creative.
‘Overall, I believe as well that he is very intelligent because the sign of players that always improve is the intelligence.’
