‘Pure genius’: BBC pundit blown away by one Liverpool star after win over Norwich

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Garth Crooks is back with his Team of the Week and he’s named Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah in the first instalment for the 2021/22 campaign. The Egyptian fired the third goal from distance for the Reds and assisted the other two goals during a 3-0 rout of Norwich City.

Salah was Liverpool’s top scorer during a pretty turbulent 2020/21 campaign. He scored 31 goals in all competitions and also registered six assists. His contract is up in two years and Liverpool will hope to try and tie him to an extension.

On Saturday he was sublime. He tormented Norwich in a way that ex-Liverpool striker Luis Suarez used to. Salah was mesmerising at times and really did give the Canaries a culture shock on their Premier League return.

Crooks was desperately impressed with the 29-year-old. He named him in his maiden Team of the Week for the 2021/22 campaign, also picking out Alisson and Virgil van Dijk for selection.

The pundit told BBC Sport: “The way Liverpool’s Egypt international positioned himself to receive the ball with his left foot and plant it so perfectly in order to strike the ball past Tim Krul was pure genius.

“Regular readers will know I had issues with Salah’s game previously. But not against Norwich. I saw no signs of selfishness in front of goal or looking for cheap penalties.

“What I saw was the player who, as when he first arrived at Anfield, played for the team first and foremost and got the goal his performance deserved. I hope he keeps it up.”

Salah key for Liverpool once again

The man with 43 goals in 68 games for the Reds looks very much like being the main man again. He was magnificent on Saturday at Carrow Road and he clearly makes Liverpool tick.

Jurgen Klopp has only added Ibrahima Konate to his squad this summer. Some fans have claimed that more attacking options are required if the team is to regain their Premier League crown.

With Salah in this sort of form, other options might not be required. It’s only one game in, but the former Chelsea man can help Liverpool become a formidable force again this season.