African trio star as Liverpool make superb star

Published on: 15 August 2018
African trio star as Liverpool make superb star
Sadio Mane

African goal poachers Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah tormented West Ham United as Liverpool went top of the English Premier League with a 4-0 opening-round triumph at Anfield.

Senegalese Mane bagged a brace and 2017-2018 Premier League Player of the Season Salah from Egypt also scored while new Guinean signing Naby Keita sparkled.

“Naby is a good player — you can see that and he’s only going to get better,” said Liverpool veteran James Milner.

England

SADIO MANE (Liverpool)

He scored shortly after being denied by West Ham’s ultra-busy  goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski. Mane made no mistake from close range after being set up by a terrific run by former England international Milner. The 26-year-old forward added a second early in the second half.

MOHAMED SALAH (Liverpool)

Started quickly to set aside the disappointment of the World Cup with Liverpool’s first goal, a finely-taken effort and was unlucky to go in at the break with just one to his name as the outstanding Fabianski saved twice from him. He even earned a hug from a Liverpool fan invading the pitch in the second half, which provoked a beaming smile from the Egyptian star.

NABY KEITA (Liverpool)

The Guinea international is flattered to have been given the number eight shirt that icon Steven Gerrard wore and has not been used since he retired. He certainly did it proud in his first Premier League appearance since arriving from RB Leipzig, settling in well and sparking the move that led to Salah’s first-half goal. The 23-year-old provided an impressive performance at the heart of midfield.

YVES BISSOUMA (Brighton)

The young Mali midfielder came on with half an hour to go in a 2-0 loss at Watford for his Premier League bow for Brighton since moving from Ligue 1 Lille. However, the 21-year-old Ivory Coast-born player, like his team-mates, failed to flourish in what manager Chris Hughton had eyed as a potential victory having bought prudently in the close season.

WILFRIED ZAHA (Crystal Palace)

Palace had already, to a certain extent, secured a victory before the season started in keeping their skilful Ivorian forward and warding off courting rivals. The 25-year-old showed how important he is to Roy Hodgson’s season, whether it be another battle against relegation or somewhat loftier ambitions than that, as he went close with one effort before scoring the second goal, slotting the ball home from Aaron Wan-Bissaka’s pass, in an impressive 2-0 opening win at big-spending London rivals Fulham.

This website uses cookies to ensure you get the best experience on our website.
Learn more