Liverpool news: Pundit issues ‘massive’ Mohamed Salah verdict as training ground footage emerges
Mohamed Salah will be even more determined to win silverware with Liverpool this season after his African Cup of Nations heartbreak, according to Noel Whelan.
The former Leeds striker, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, claimed the 29-year-old will be “happy to be back” in Merseyside despite the short turnaround from Sunday’s showpiece final.
Salah played 120 minutes but did not take a penalty as Liverpool teammate Sadio Mane fired Senegal to a shoot-out victory over Egypt in the African Cup of Nations final on Sunday (6 February).
The former Chelsea winger returned to training yesterday, while Mane remains in his home country as The Lions of Teranga celebrate a maiden AFCON triumph.
Whelan insisted he is “very sure” Salah will win a trophy with Liverpool this term.
“He’ll be happy to be back at Liverpool,” he told Football Insider‘s Ewan Kingsbury.
“He will still have a massive sense of disappointment because nobody likes to lose a final after coming so close.
“But there’s no time to feel sorry for yourself. You’re still chasing down the Premier League, you’re in the final of the League Cup, you’re still in Europe and the FA Cup.
“I’m very sure he’s not going to finish the season without a trophy. That loss on Sunday will probably give him even more determination.
“He can go and win some serious silverware with Liverpool having come so close in the African Cup of Nations.”
Salah’s first opportunity at redemption comes later this month (27 February) when Liverpool take on Chelsea in the League Cup final at Wembley.
Senegal and Egypt are set to face off again next month in a two-legged World Cup qualification playoff.
In other news, pundit predicts Liverpool ‘worried’ about Barcelona and Real Madrid after transfer update.