Pundit thrilled by ‘massive’ Mohamed Salah latest after what he just saw at Liverpool – ‘game-changer’
Noel Whelan has claimed Liverpool star Mohamed Salah’s record-breaking hattrick was “exactly what he needed” after his sub-par start to the season.
The former Leeds striker, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, insisted the 30-year-old proved what a “game-changer” he could be for Jurgen Klopp.
Salah came off the bench to score a hattrick in six minutes and 12 seconds during Wednesday’s (12 October) 7-1 win over Rangers – setting a new Champions League record.
The Egypt international had scored just five in 12 prior to the Merseysiders’ Ibrox demolition job as they struggle for form in the Premier League.
In contrast, Salah finished last season as the league’s joint-top scorer – netting 23 goals in 35 outings.
Liverpool sit 10th in the top flight after winning just two of their first eight games.
Whelan insisted Salah’s scoring exploits will have given him his “belief and confidence back” ahead of a “massive” game against perennial title rivals Man City on Sunday (16 October).
He told Football Insider’s Ewan Kingsbury: “Salah definitely needed that.
“Everyone’s been waiting for that impact to come, we’ve not seen it so far this season.
“But in the Rangers game he proved what a game-changer he can be. There was no stopping him after he got confidence from that first goal.
“That’s exactly what he needed to get that belief and confidence back ahead of a massive game at the weekend against Man City.
“Hopefully he can get up and running again now.”
In other news, expert hits back over Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp after journalist wind-up.