The year 2022 still has over six months to end but a footballer like Mohamed Salah of Liverpool would never forget the year in a hurry based on the good, bad, and ugly moments he has experienced this year.
Mohamed Salah started the year with a lot of hope and aspirations but things could not turn out as perfectly as he would have wanted. His disappointments this year started with his country, Egypt at the African Cup of Nations (AFCON) which was held in Cameroon from January to February 2022.
Mohamed Salah and his countrymen lost their opening group game against Nigeria but went on to reach the final of the tournament.
In the final, Egypt faced Senegal which have star footballers like Sadio Mane of Liverpool and goalkeeper Edouard Mendy of Chelsea. Unfortunately, Egypt lost the final to Senegal via penalties.
A few weeks later, Mohamed Salah met his club teammate, Sadio Mane again but this time around in the FIFA World Cup qualifiers play-off. Again, Senegal defeated Egypt to end Salah’s dream of playing in the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.
The 29-year-old Egyptian winger returned to Liverpool to help his club side finish well in the 2021-2022 season. At that point, Liverpool had the possibility of winning four major titles – the Premier League, EFL Cup, FA Cup, and of course, the UEFA Champions League.
Hence, there were a lot of talks that Liverpool would set an English record as the first English club to win a quadruple. Interestingly, Liverpool looked like a team that could achieve that especially after beating Chelsea in the finals of the EFL Cup and the FA Cup.
Since they had the double in the bag, they were expected to add a third title on May 22, the last day of the 2021-2022 Premier League campaign. Despite winning their last league game of the season against Wolves, they lost the league title to Manchester City with a point difference, thanks to City’s 3-2 win over Aston Villa.
Since the Premier League title had slid away from Liverpool’s hands, the club’s attention was directed to the UEFA Champions League final which took place in Paris on May 28, 2022.
Unfortunately for Mohamed Salah again, things did not go as planned. They faced a Real Madrid side that hardly loses a cup final no matter the nature. Hence, Liverpool lost the title to Madrid thanks to a 59th-minute goal from Vinicius Junior.
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
Fortunately or unfortunately, Salah ended the 2021-2022 season with just two titles – FA Cup and EFL Cup from a possible four. Despite how good he is, he would not play in the forthcoming FIFA World Cup in Qatar.
But the good news is that Salah ended the season as the Premier League Golden Boot and Playmaker winner. He also won the FWA Footballer of the Year after he scored 31 goals and provided 16 assists in 51 games in all competitions.
Indeed, the year 2022 has been a year of mixed feelings for Mohamed Salah. But as the professional that he is, Salah would learn from the lessons of his disappointments and cherish the few good times he has had while he prepares for the 2022-2023 season.
Salah’s contract with Liverpool will expire on June 30, 2023. The transfer market value of the 29-year-old Egyptian winger is said to be €100 million.
