---
title: "Salah’s performance against Atletico sums up how underappreciated he is"
canonical: "https://readliverpoolfc.com/articles/salahs-performance-against-atletico-sums-up-how-underappreciated-he-is/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Henry Jackson"
section: "Articles"
published: "2020-03-12T19:00:00Z"
modified: "2020-03-12T19:00:00Z"
---

# Salah’s performance against Atletico sums up how underappreciated he is

Mohamed Salah’s superb performance against Atletico Madrid is proof of how underrated he remains as a player, showing why [calls](https://talksport.com/football/664733/liverpool-mohamed-salah-kylian-mbappe-jadon-sancho-darren-bent-selling/) for him to be sold are ludicrous.

Liverpool were sent packing from the Champions League on Wednesday night, losing 3-2 to Atletico at Anfield.

It meant Jurgen Klopp suffered his first-ever defeat in a European knockout tie as Reds manager, on an unlucky night for his side.

Were it not for Adrian’s blunder when the hosts were 2-0 up, there is every chance we would be talking about this as a truly great European performance from Liverpool.

Considering the defensively resolute side they were up against, the Reds created chances at will, playing some superb football along the way.

There were a number of standout performers, including Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Gini Wijnaldum, but it was Salah who still emerged as easily Liverpool’s biggest threat.

The 27-year-old was an absolute menace to Atletico’s defence all evening, using his strength, pace and movement to devastating effect and always looking to make things happen.

While Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino were quieter on the night overall, Salah was never out of the game.

Not everything about the Egyptian’s game was perfect – it rarely is – but the positives easily outweighed the negatives. For every misplaced pass there was a dazzling dribble, and for every heavy touch there was a blistering turn of pace.

According to [FotMob](https://www.fotmob.com/livescores/3236264?date=20200311), Salah completed an incredible seven dribbles, made four key passes and made 10 ball recoveries, not to mention enjoying an 85 per cent pass completion rate – far better than some would have you believe.

For Atletico fans watching on, he was surely *the* main threat, wreaking havoc for large chunks of proceedings.

This was another evening that showed why Salah is now taken for granted as a player.

Incredibly, some believe Liverpool would be better off without him around, with Robbie Savage recently [claiming](https://www.empireofthekop.com/2020/03/09/video-robbie-savage-disrespects-mo-salah-in-stupid-rant-which-leaves-liverpool-caller-literally-laughing-at-him/) Jadon Sancho would be an upgrade. He isn’t alone, though, and [some Reds fans](https://www.express.co.uk/sport/football/1241787/Liverpool-Mohamed-Salah-exit-Jadon-Sancho-transfer-plan) have a similar thought process.

The 2017/18 season has actually worked against him, with too many now expecting him to replicate what was [one of the greatest individual seasons](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VkG_7lyE7s4) in English football history.

The fact is that Salah is a truly world-class player who would be earning far more plaudits if he hadn’t started life at Liverpool quite so unbelievably. From that point on, a Lionel Messi-esque level has been expected, which is unfair.

It’s only when Salah is gone that he will be fully appreciated – his extraordinary numbers speak volumes, with [no player](https://www.sportbible.com/football/news-stats-10-players-with-the-most-combined-goals-and-assist-since-2017-revealed-20200225) registering more goals and assists combined in the Premier League since the start of 17/18.

It is fine to feel frustrated with aspects of Salah’s game, but at the same time we must appreciate that we are watching a genuine modern Liverpool legend.

Most players would have received endless praise for a display like the one Salah produced on Wednesday, but the fact that he didn’t shows how criminally underrated he still is.

* * *

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