Liverpool superstar Mohamed Salah has been singled out for blame by fans following the Reds' agonizing defeat to Real Madrid in Saturday night's Champions League final. The 29-year-old forward has been bashed massively on social media as supporters of the Reds believe that he could have potentially forced the game into extra-time had he been "less selfish".
The European cup final had its fair share of drama right from the start through to the end. The match whose kick-off time was delayed due to security issues began with chances falling the way of both Liverpool and Real Madrid. The former had the best of the lot and it took Thibaut Courtois producing one of the greatest-ever performances in the Champions League to deny the Premier League club a triumphant night.
After Karim Benzema's goal was controversially ruled out for offside, Real Madrid had their breakthrough in the second half through Vinicius Jr in the 59th minute. The scoreline was kept intact with Courtois producing a series of game-defining saves. With barely 15 minutes left of the regulation time, the big Belgian superstar showed up once more for Los Blancos, stopping Salah from point blank range.
6 - Mohamed Salah's six shots on target tonight is the most on record (since 2003-04) of any player in a single #UCLfinal. Denied. #LIVRMA pic.twitter.com/KBFao7r4sT
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) May 28, 2022
9 - Thibaut Courtois' nine saves tonight is the most on record (since 2003-04) of any keeper in a single #UCLfinal. Impenetrable. #LIVRMA pic.twitter.com/zIKhl5zaXT
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) May 28, 2022
According to some fans on social media, the Egyptian made the wrong call by shooting at the goal as an easier route would have been to square the ball to Sadio Mane who had raced into the Madrid penalty area from the left flank.
Thibaut Courtois
— SuperSport (@SuperSportTV) May 28, 2022
The Real Madrid keeper is playing the game of his life tonight, ridiculous save to deny Mo Salah!
Stream the #UCLFinal live: https://t.co/0BMWdeFwIB pic.twitter.com/YUUm58wztA
Meanwhile, the night's result handed Real Madrid their 14th European cup title, extending their record as the most-decorated club in the competition's history. Relatively, Carlo Ancelotti became the manager to have won the UEFA Champions League the most times: four (for AC Milan in 2002/03 and 2006/07, for Real Madrid in 2013/14 and in 2021/22).
Below is how some fans reacted to Salah's big chance at the latter part of Saturday's final:
I did say this in their previos match, that what will kill Liverpool in the final, is selfishness on Salah, sqaure pass would have made things simpler
— Mtlokwa (@NkuluSondezi) May 28, 2022
Mo Salah lost a top chance for Liverpool now. You'll Never Walk Alone is no longer assured. pic.twitter.com/DWhTJshqr9
— Uefa Champions League Final (@JeffSnrs) May 28, 2022
I hope from tonight nobody is going to wish they meet Real Madrid in the finals of the UCL.
— Saddick Adams (@SaddickAdams) May 28, 2022
Salah actually said he wanted Real? Hummm
If mane leaves the team... I will be glad ... Cuz that chance salah got one on one ... Should have given that pass... Mane will always want to leave because of that Salah selfishness .. it cost us
— desmens (@desmens) May 28, 2022
Salah could have passed at some point..and maybe they would have had better odds..each time he had a chance, mane was waiting for the pass....it is what it is though..
— Noob Saibot (@Ordinary_Jayy) May 28, 2022
That Salah Chances where he should of passed to Mane for a tap in
— Zino (@Zinoo4kt) May 28, 2022
Salah could've passed it to Mané #UCLfinal
— Akash Bhattacharjee (@AkashB_10) May 28, 2022
Salah could have passed at some point..and maybe they would have had better odds..each time he had a chance, mane was waiting for the pass....it is what it is though..
— Noob Saibot (@Ordinary_Jayy) May 28, 2022
Salah could have passed at some point..and maybe they would have had better odds..each time he had a chance, mane was waiting for the pass....it is what it is though..
— Noob Saibot (@Ordinary_Jayy) May 28, 2022
Mo Salah should be kick out of the club because he's selfish player, he should have pass that ball to Mane and definitely mane will score that ball. When a player win for the team he won for all but mo salah don't understand that
— Arbbers S Amana (@ArbbersS) May 28, 2022
