Pressure isn’t for everyone, but it fits Mohamed Salah like a glove.
The forward became a national hero when he struck home a 90th-minute winner from the spot to take Egypt to next summer’s World Cup, a strike that has proven the catalyst for some scintillating form.
Since that goal, he’s netted eight times in eight games, while providing two assists. The stats don’t lie – Salah is as key for club as he is for country.
It’s no surprise that he’s the second most popular pick in Sky Sports Fantasy Football then, with 46% of managers seeing him as essential to their team.
Prior to his historic strike in Cairo, Salah had re-announced himself in the Premier League in some style, with four goals and two assists on top of his two goals in the Champions League.
But since, he’s somehow been even more impressive, racking up 56 of his total 114 Sky Sports Fantasy Football points in his last five league outings.
His goals and assists are largely responsible for that, but Salah has also been awarded two Sky Sports man of the match accolades and three bonuses for three or more shots on target in those games.
He’s now earning an average of 11.2 points per game since writing his name in Egyptian football history, compared to 8.3 prior.
That form has made Salah the focal point of Jurgen Klopp’s attack. Without his nine Premier League goals, Liverpool would plummet from fifth to 10th, losing seven points.
The forward was even more crucial for Egypt in their World Cup qualifying campaign. He scored five goals in five games for his country, earning them eight of the 13 points with which they topped Group E.
But that pressure and responsibility is bringing the best out of Salah, for club and for country.
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