London Daily

Focus on the big picture.
Tuesday, Jun 23, 2026

Mohamed Salah scores second wonder goal in as many Premier League games to spoil Claudio Ranieri return

Mohamed Salah scores second wonder goal in as many Premier League games to spoil Claudio Ranieri return

Mohamed Salah scored his second wonderful solo goal in as many Premier League games as Liverpool spoilt Claudio Ranieri's return to management in the UK.

In the 54th minute of Liverpool's comfortable 5-0 win against Watford at Vicarage Road, Salah picked up the ball on the edge of the Watford box with a host of defenders between him and the goal.

Using some delicate footwork and intricate trickery, Salah danced past a couple, faking a shot -- which left a player on the ground -- before curling home into the bottom corner to round off the outstanding goal.

It comes in the game after the Egyptian's excellent solo goal against Manchester City two weeks ago in which he jinked past multiple City defenders before firing his right-foot shot past goalkeeper Ederson.

When asked whether he's scored a better goal before, he said with a smile: "Last game, maybe!"

"I don't know which one is better, this one or the City one. Every time I'm in the box, I'm trying to give the ball to someone to score," he told BT Sport.

His goal is his ninth in his last eight consecutive club games, and it is that form that has people suggesting he might be the favorite for this year's Ballon d'Or award.

And for leading sports scientist Simon Brundish, he believes Salah should be given the award.

"I think if he carries on like this, there's no argument," Brundish said.

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp agrees.

"His performance was massive today," the German manager told BT Sport afterward.

"The pass for the first goal was great and the second goal was special. He is top. We all see it. Who is better than him? We don't have to talk about what Messi and Ronaldo have done for world football and their dominance. But right now, he is the best."

Salah celebrates with teammates Trent Alexander-Arnold and Firmino after scoring against Watford.


Ruining the party


Salah's goal was the crowning moment on what was a comfortable afternoon for Klopp's men -- and a nightmare start for new Watford manager Ranieri.

Sadio Mane got the game off to a perfect start for Liverpool, slotting home with just the keeper to beat after Salah's delightful assist.

Two goals from Roberto Firmino either side of the halftime break really turned the screw on the home team, before Salah scored his excellent goal.

Firmino wrapped up the afternoon, tapping home from close range to complete his hat trick and move Liverpool atop the Premier League table.

Salah scores against Watford.


While it was the perfect return to the Premier League after the international break for Liverpool, it was the opposite for Ranieri.

The Italian was appointed as the new manager of the team on a two-year contract earlier in the month.

The 69-year-old replaced Xisco Munoz at the helm, after the Spaniard was sacked after less than 10 months in the job.

It is Ranieri's first job in the English top-flight since he stunned the footballing world by winning the Premier League with Leicester City in 2015-16.

Ranieri reacts during the Premier League game against Liverpool.


The Italian left Serie A side Sampdoria in the summer, and his appointment at Watford is the 20th club for which he's managed.

However, his side looked all at sea for the most of the game, conceding sloppy goals and lacking little going forward.

Newsletter

Related Articles

0:00
0:00
Close
Taxpayer Support Grows for Higher Digital Levies on Multinational Tech Companies
Bank of England Signals Caution Over Inflation Despite Easing Energy Prices
Lloyds Banking Group Expands Artificial Intelligence Hiring Amid Sector-Wide Automation Shift
Film Producer Corporate Collapse Leaves Creditors Facing Unrecoverable Losses
UK Ten-Year Brexit Anniversary Highlights Ongoing Political and Economic Uncertainty
Nottingham Maternity Scandal Inquiry Reveals Systemic Failings in NHS Care
Met Office Heatwave Prompts Public Health Warnings Across United Kingdom
Concerns Rise Over Fiscal Stability as Political Uncertainty Weighs on UK Borrowing Costs
UK Taxpayers Back Higher Digital Taxes on Global Technology Firms, Survey Shows
Bank of England Holds Interest Rates Steady Amid Persistent Services Inflation
Reform UK and Opposition Leaders Call for General Election Following Starmer’s Departure
Ten Years After Brexit Referendum, UK Faces Ongoing Political Fragmentation and Economic Debate
Nottingham University Hospitals Maternity Inquiry Exposes Severe NHS Failures
Met Office Issues Heat Health Alerts as United Kingdom Faces Record-Breaking Temperatures
Andy Burnham Emerges as Front-Runner for Labour Leadership After Starmer’s Resignation
Keir Starmer Resigns as UK Enters New Phase of Political Leadership Transition
UK Expands Alcohol Ban Enforcement Using Tagging Technology Ahead of World Cup
UK Invests £50 Million in Critical Minerals Supply Chain Security
UK Appoints Special Envoy on Preventing Sexual Violence in Conflict
UK Introduces Fines for Landlords of Unsafe Rental Properties
Reform UK Leads Opinion Polls as Immigration Debate Reshapes UK Politics
Police Investigate Edinburgh Attacks as Potential Hate Crimes
King Charles to Publish Personal Tax and Royal Household Financial Records
Nottingham University Hospitals Maternity Inquiry Report Set for Publication
Heat-Health Alerts Issued Across London and Southern England Amid Rising Temperatures
UK Economy Shows Pressure From Middle East Conflict Despite Modest Growth
Brexit Anniversary Reignites Debate Over UK Economic and Political Direction
UK Parliament Continues Legislative Work Amid Leadership Transition
Financial Markets Hold Steady After UK Leadership Shake-Up
Andy Burnham Enters Labour Leadership Race With Strong Parliamentary Backing
Keir Starmer Resigns as UK Prime Minister After Two Years in Office
Reform UK MP Lee Anderson to Raise Pension Concerns Over British Coal Staff Superannuation Scheme
UK Parliament to Debate Newborn Screening for Spinal Muscular Atrophy Following Public Petition
Met Office Warns of Water Safety Risks During Heatwave as Temperatures Peak in England
Treasury Increases Mileage Allowance Payments for 2026–27 Tax Year to 55 Pence Per Mile
UK Government Raises Electricity Generator Levy to 55 Percent in New Revenue Measure
House of Lords Moves Financial Services and Markets Bill to Committee Stage Amid Regulatory Scrutiny
Westminster Hall to Debate Petition on Pro-Israel Influence in UK Politics
UK Parliament Prepares for Estimates Days Debates as Backbench Business Schedule Approved
Armed Forces Bill Nears Final Stages in UK House of Commons With Military Justice Reforms
Donald Trump Comments on UK Political Situation, Citing Immigration and Energy Policy Concerns
Andy Burnham By-Election Victory Fuels Speculation Over Potential Labour Leadership Contest
UK Economy Shows Resilience but Faces Headwinds from Middle East Tensions, UK Finance Says
UK Parliament Opens Week of Debates on Net Zero, Security and Armed Forces Reform
Met Office Issues Amber Extreme Heat Warning as Temperatures Expected to Reach 35C Across England and Wales
Prime Minister Keir Starmer Faces Mounting Leadership Pressure After Makerfield By-Election Defeat
London Hotel Wins World’s Best Afternoon Tea Award at International Hospitality Guide La Liste
Court of Appeal Rules in Favour of Competition and Markets Authority in Phenytoin Drug Case
Chichester Waste Site Suspended After Environment Agency Finds Serious Fire and Pollution Risks
UK Appoints Chris Elmore as Special Envoy on Preventing Sexual Violence in Conflict
×