Liverpool are ready to do battle with bitter rivals Manchester United on Sunday and fans will be delighted to see Mohamed Salah in a combative mood.
Salah has a phenomenal record in games between the two clubs, with his 14 goals against United more than he has managed against any other opponent.
The 32-year-old was on target in each of Liverpool’s opening Premier League wins over Ipswich Town and Brentford and unfurled a new goal celebration, mimicking an archer firing an arrow.
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However, the Reds’ master marksman’s inspiration from the gesture come from another sporting world — the hand-to-hand combat of UFC and, specifically, Israel Adesanya’s signature win over light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira in April 2023.
“I think I was watching the UFC – Pereira against Israel Adesanya. When he won the second fight against Pereira, he celebrated like that because Pereira beat him in the first one,” Salah told Men In Blazers.
“I like the celebration, that’s why I do it. I am a UFC fan. And also back home, people take it as our Egyptian pharaohs used to do it when they drew something in a temple or the pyramids or somewhere. It’s similar.”
Israel Adesanya KOs long time rival Alex Pereira
— Bry The MMA Guy (@BryTheMMAguy) December 20, 2023
Alex Pereira is my favorite fighter but I got to give Izzy credit here.
Back up against the fence. Having me think that Alex is about to repeat what he did in the first fight, and then BAM Izzy lands with his right hand. pic.twitter.com/PZIGa3UJzd
If this mash-up of mixed martial arts and hieroglyphics has you confused, rest assured that Salah has a crystal clear focus upon this weekend’s task.
“I know what it means to the fans and the city, so I’m always trying to help the team and score goals,” he said of the United rivalry. “If we score goals we have a better chance to win the game so I’m always focusing on the game, trying to help the team to win the game.”
