Liverpool enjoyed plenty of success against Manchester City this weekend on their way to winning the Community Shield.
The 3-1 scoreline was only confirmed late on thanks to Darwin Nunez’s debut goal but it was main man Mohamed Salah who shone again.
Looking sharp from minute one, he terrorised that left-hand side with Joao Cancelo struggling against the onslaught.
Did Salah expose Cancelo? Some believe he did and that it could be an area for the Reds to target against City this season.
So many good performances yesterday but Salah MOTM for me. Involved in all three goals. Cancelo simply couldn’t deal with him. Cross in for Nunez’s header is pure class.pic.twitter.com/ExxxJ9p4q1
— Jack Sear (@JackSear) July 31, 2022
Salah exposed Cancelo?
Salah’s direct approach from the early minutes saw him easily skip past Cancelo in the box, only for the Egyptian to fire into the side netting.
If the Reds want instant success against City, they should utilise Salah’s obvious domination over Cancelo – former player Paul Robinson also believes they could strengthen in that position.
“Cancelo did brilliantly at left-back last season,” Robinson told Football Insider. “He was in my team of the year. He was outstanding.
“It has to be said though, he had a tough afternoon against Salah. He was exposed one on one against him.
“City have Cancelo and they have Nathan Ake as left-back options.
“But if they could strengthen anywhere it would be at left-back. I don’t think it would be a disaster if they did not sign one though.”
Salah skins Cancelo down the right and gets into the box, but shoots into the side netting. Liverpool started brightly, particularly down his side. #LFC
— Neil Jones (@neiljonesgoal) July 30, 2022
Liverpool’s right-hand side is dangerous
Liverpool’s right-hand side is a force to be reckoned with thanks to Salah’s unrelenting directness backed up by Trent Alexander-Arnold’s threat just behind him.
The pair work together so well, with Trent often playing searching balls for Salah to chase which stretches the game and gets Liverpool up the pitch.
In contrast, Salah can drag occupy a defender before playing the ball to Trent in an advanced area where he can really affect the game – similar to have he opened the scoring against City.
Teams have to focus so hard on defending this side – which is Liverpool’s main source for goals and chance creation as Salah managed three key passes on the day.
