"You won't see a better pass this season" - Michael Owen lavishes praise on Liverpool superstar for 'exquisite' moment in Chelsea draw
Michael Owen was highly impressed when Mohamed Salah sliced Chelsea's defense open with a sublime pass to assist Luis Diaz's opener for Liverpool at Stamford Bridge yesterday (August 13).
In the 17th minute of the game, Alexis Mac Allister fizzed a long ball into Salah's feet on the right flank. He took on Levi Colwill before cutting inside slightly and playing an invasive through pass past three Chelsea defenders.
Diaz timed his run perfectly and made no mistake with a well-adjusted first-time finish from his weak foot. Analyzing the goal later, Owen said on Premier League Productions (h/t HITC):
Salah's goal-scoring exploits sometimes overshadow his potency as a creator. He has 186 goals and 80 assists in 306 games for Liverpool, winning the Premier League Playmaker Award in the 2021-22 season.
Liverpool's Trent Alexander-Arnold was shown a yellow card in the 68th minute for apparent time-wasting against Chelsea yesterday.
The English right-back was taking a little too long with the ball in his hands as he scanned the pitch for options in his own half. But given the Premier League's new, more strict rules on timewasting, referee Anthony Taylor put the Reds' No. 66 in the book.
After the game, a displeased Jurgen Klopp told reporters (h/t Sky Sports):
Given the intensity and pace of the game, it is hard to argue that the Reds were wasting time. Both teams looked like they wanted a win rather than a draw, although the hosts dominated with more possession (65%) and more shots on target (4 to 1).
It is worth mentioning that Liverpool employed a specialist throw-in coach, Thomas Gronnemark, for five seasons until his exit in May 2023.
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