MAN FOR THE BIG MOMENT

Even when he's not at his best, Salah still proves decisive

- ANDY DUNN

IN his absence all of the Anfield talk, quite rightly, was about the kids, the golden generation emerging from the academy ranks.

And even when he clipped home the decisive goal of this enjoyable contest, social media was abuzz with affection for Alexis Mac Allister and his intelligent assist.

You can also be certain that the chat around Liverpool will soon return to the subject of Jurgen Klopp, his summer departure, and his successor.

But if there is one man who remains central to Liverpool's success on the field both for this season and next - it is the incomparable Mohamed Salah.

It is fair to say this was not Salah at his most mesmerising or accomplished. Far from it. Some might even say this was Salah at his most selfish.

But when it mattered, his composure was the crucial difference between the two sides, his calmness in front of goal maintaining Liverpool's title momentum.

Salah has now scored or assisted in 19 of the last 20 Premier League games at Anfield. Klopp will, of course, leave a significant void at Anfield - but so will Salah if he takes the Saudi dollar in the summer.