Carragher: Salah should have had an earlier penalty

by Staff Reporter

Tuesday Feb 08, 2022. 16:00

Premier League legend Jamie Carragher does not understand why Egypt did not give Mohamed Salah an earlier slot in their penalty shootout order.

The Liverpool attacker did not take a penalty in either their Africa Cup of Nations semifinal win over Cameroon or in the final loss to Senegal, as he was designated as the fifth kicker for shootouts.

READ: Senegal finally crowned Kings of Africa

In the final, Egypt did not get to take their fifth kick after Salah’s Liverpool teammate Sadio Mane sealed victory for the Teranga Lions.

Carragher vented on Twitter: “That is why your best penalty taker should never go fifth.”

He added: “Mo Salah not taking a penalty for Egypt in a shootout in a final is madness. Also happened to Ronaldo years ago for Portugal v Spain.”

Salah has also been praised by Egypt assistant coach Diaa al-Sayed, who took charge of the Pharaohs for the final due to head coach Carlos Queiroz being suspended.

“Salah is a world-class player and his attitude is the same as anyone else,” said Diaa al-Sayed, as quoted by EWN.

“He was determined to win. He has played in and won big competitions in Europe but he really wanted to win this trophy for his country.

“With him we want to qualify for the World Cup. He is just like the captain of any team. He is disappointed that he didn’t achieve his goal.”