Mohamed Salah may have dominated the post-match talk after Liverpool’s thrilling 3-2 victory at Southampton on Sunday – both for what he did on and off the pitch. But there was another player on show at St Mary’s who certainly impressed.
The irrepressible Salah was once again the difference maker, scoring two second-half goals as Liverpool battled back from behind to beat the rock-bottom Saints 3-2 and haul themselves eight points clear of Manchester City at the top of the Premier League.
The Egyptian superstar then spoke to reporters after the match including our own Paul Gorst about the uncertainly surrounding his future. Coming up to having just six months left on his Reds contract, Salah admitted he was disappointed not to have been formally offered a new deal yet.Those words have dominated the news agenda ever since and overshadowed what was a superb performance by Southampton rising star Tyler Dibling.
The 18-year-old won the controversial penalty that led to the Saints restoring parity through Adam Armstrong and then combined with the same player to set up Mateus Fernandes to score a superb breakaway goal.
Salah’s brilliance ultimately ensured the points returned to Merseyside but Dibling certainly caught the eye, including that of former Premier League title winner Tim Sherwood.
The ex-Tottenham Hotspur and Aston Villa boss, who famously won the league with Blackburn Rovers despite losing at Anfield on the last day of the dramatic 1994-95 season, was blown away by the England Under-21 international and believes he could become the latest player to follow the well-trodden path from Southampton to Liverpool.
Speaking on The Weekend Wrap, Sherwood said: “He will probably be their next signing. I don’t know when that will be, he’s only 18 years of age, but he’s ready to step up, already you know there is a superstar in the making there.”
Sherwood wasn’t the only person left impressed. Analysing the game on Match of the Day 2, former Lioness captain Steph Houghton said: “I really do think they’ve unearthed a gem. To be able to pick up the ball in the middle and drive at Andy Robertson whose been great for so many seasons at Liverpool.
“I love that he’s able to tease players in. He skipped past Robertson and (Curtis) Jones. He’s skipping past some of his own players to win the ball back.
“I’ve been really impressed with him all season but to do it against Liverpool. He’s going to be such a good talent in the future.”
Former Liverpool midfielder Danny Murphy was also appearing on the show and used the same word as Sherwood about Dibling. Murphy said: “He’s a superstar, honestly.
“So young as well, he’s got great composure, good presence. It’s just how long they can keep him.”
