Mohamed Salah’s night at Anfield on Friday was one of joy and heartbreak rolled into one.
The Liverpool star found the net in the closing minutes, sealing a 4-2 win over Bournemouth in the Premier League opener. But the goal was more than just a match-winner, it was a tribute.
The 33-year-old marked his strike with the celebration of his late teammate, Portuguese forward Diogo Jota, who tragically passed away in a car accident only weeks ago.
After the final whistle, Salah walked towards the Kop, where Liverpool fans held banners in Jota’s memory. As the crowd roared both Jota’s name and Salah’s, the Egyptian’s emotions spilled over. He could not hold back tears, overcome by the mix of grief and love filling the stadium.
Fans responded by chanting his name, their voices rising above the fading echoes of the match. Salah applauded them in return before heading down the tunnel, still visibly moved.
