6 hours ago
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If Manchester United fans were looking for more than just a 2–1 win at Anfield to gloat about – they’ve certainly found it.
Celebrations following United’s victory over their arch-rivals on Sunday have been seemingly relentless, and eagle-eyed fans have now uncovered a new moment to savour.
A clip from the match has been making the rounds on social media, capturing a key moment in the 64th minute when Liverpool, trailing 1–0, missed a golden opportunity to equalise.
The usually clinical Mohamed Salah squandered the chance – sending the ball wide after it arrived at his feet with only United goalkeeper Senne Lammens in his way.
The Belgian rushed out to attempt to smother the opportunity, with Salah skying it past his left post.
Such was the extraordinary nature of Salah's miss - against a team he has so regularly profited against (he went into Sunday’s clash at Anfield with an incredible 15 goals and six assists in his previous 11 games against United) – that even his teammates thought it was impossible he would fail to hit the target.
Jones was seen celebrating before Salah had even connected with - and missed - the shot
Such was the extraordinary nature of Salah's miss against a team that he has so regularly profited against that even his teammates thought it impossible he would fail to hit the target
The clip shows Curtis Jones running back to the penalty spot with his arm in the air, celebrating before Salah had even connected with the shot – before the 24-year-old put his hands to his head once the chance had gone awry.
Enthusiastic United fans revelled in the moment, unnoticed by many at the time, with one fan writing: 'Bro, look at Curtis Jones pre-celebrating,' followed by three crying face emojis.
Salah, 33, has looked short of confidence this season, and his massive dip in form has coincided with Liverpool losing four matches in a row – the latest at Anfield against Rúben Amorim's side.
And former United striker Wayne Rooney has predicted that the Egyptian King may make a move in January and call time on a golden seven-year career at Liverpool.
Speaking on the BBC's Wayne Rooney Show, the ex-Man United legend said: 'I just think Salah has played a lot of games over the last few years, and he's been the main man, and he's carried that pressure.
'And you're probably in the top five great Premier League players, in my opinion. I think it looked like it maybe caught up a little bit with him.
'It wouldn't surprise me if in January, or maybe next summer, if he does leave the club. But I've loved watching him, he’s such a fantastic player, but I think it's probably just caught up, because it does.'
Liverpool fans were desperate for the winger to put pen to paper, having seen him score 29 goals in 38 games last term. Eventually, he signed a two-year contract to extend his stay at Anfield.
Former United star Rooney said he 'wouldn't be surprised' if Salah left Liverpool in January
The departure of Trent Alexander-Arnold to Real Madrid this summer has taken its toll on Salah
But with the departure of Trent Alexander-Arnold to Real Madrid this past summer taking its toll on a once-profitable right-wing partnership, Salah has struggled to build on some of the incredible heights he reached last season.
Salah missed two big chances against United and has now gone seven games without a non-penalty goal – his longest drought at the club.
If he were to depart in January or the summer, Saudi Arabia would appear to be the most likely destination.
