08 January 2024 , 10:36
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Mohamed Salah has endured further problems from the penalty spot after missing another attempt for Egypt against Tanzania in a pre-Africa Cup of Nations friendly..
But there was a stroke of good luck in action for the Pharaohs as his attempt came back off the bar and rebounded off the backside of Tanzania goalkeeper Aishi Manula before going in. It was officially registered as a Manula own goal, meaning the Liverpool star has now failed to convert five of his past 13 efforts from 12 yards.
Salah also failed to score a penalty in the New Year’s Day win over Newcastle United - only to convert a second attempt. He has twice been unable to beat Bournemouth keeper Neto in the past 10 months, scoring from one rebound, and missed another attempt against Arsenal ’s Aaron Ramsdale in a 2-2 draw late last season.
Following the Arsenal miss, Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp said that a conversation would be had over whether Salah would be taken off penalty duty.
But the 31-year-old has continued since then and is the Premier League's joint-top scorer after 20 games, alongside Manchester City's Erling Haaland. His overall penalty record now reads 10 misses, 38 scored.
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Egypt went on to win the friendly in Cairo 2-0 as they ramp up preparations for the Africa Cup of Nations, which begins in Ivory Coast this coming weekend. Salah provided the assist for Mahmoud 'Trezeguet' Hassan's opening goal.
The Pharaohs will be hoping to go one better on this occasion - having lost in the final of the last edition to a Senegal side led by his then Reds team-mate Sadio Mane.
In total 32 Premier League players are set to compete at AFCON, with Nottingham Forest hit hardest as half a dozen of their stars have been selected to represent their nations. An additional eight players have departed for the Asia Cup, which runs concurrently, and the biggest name involved will be Tottenham Hotspur captain Heung-min Son.
Burnley, Manchester City, Newcastle United are the only teams not to have players involved.
Meanwhile, Liverpool are in the hat for the FA Cup fourth round draw following their 2-0 win away to Arsenal yesterday evening.