NEWS

A selection of FirstTouch's best football writing, brought to you by emerging journalists, collaborators, and fans.

Digest, Africa Dennis Takaendesa Digest, Africa Dennis Takaendesa

Egypt: Salah builds a $450 000 sewage treatment plant

Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah continue his unprecedented showings of the EPL and UEFA Champions League 2017/18 season by going off-the pitch to pay $450 000 for a clean water in Egypt.


Mohamed Salah of Liverpool FC and Egyptian National Team is giving back to Egypt

Will we ever stop writing about Mohamed Salah? The ‘Egyptian King’ has done it again, and this time, it’s off the pitch. News has been shared that the Liverpool forward has paid for the construction of a sewage plant in his hometown costing (USD) $450 000. The plant is expected to supply the village with cleaner and fresh water. Mo’s father was reported to be one of the signatories in commissioning the plant.

The Governor of Gharbia, where Salah’s village is situated spoke his mind on the 25-year-old:

"Salah is a role model to be followed by the youth and he is already loved by millions around the world because he draws happiness on their faces. He is also the best ambassador to Egypt in the world for promoting tourism."

Since the Arab Spring Uprising (2010-2012), Egypt has been on the course of rebuilding its political, social and economic structures and Salah has just contributed to that cause. It’s actually not his first philanthropic work having donated $36 000 to the Egyptian Association of Veteran Players in 2017.

The PFA and Football Writers’ Association player of the year, has enjoyed a stellar 2017/18 season where he has smashed numerous Liverpool and EPL records by scoring at least 45 goals. He is expected to win the EPL golden boot and also tipped to help his club to a UEFA Champions League title triumph when they face record holders, Real Madrid at the end of this month.

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Europe, Digest, Featured Parnell Hegngi Europe, Digest, Featured Parnell Hegngi

Champions League Quarter-Final Overview: Manchester City vs Liverpool

Do Pep and Man City have what it takes to overcome a 3-0 deficit at the Etihad?

Manchester City players David Silva, Sane, Gabriel Jesus, and Raheem Sterling celebrate a goal in the English Premier League

The second game featuring a team with optimistic comeback hopes will feature a recently shaken Manchester City side against an offensively potent Liverpool side looking to continue their wonderful Champions League campaign into the semi-finals. Liverpool played on the front foot magnificently and took the game to Manchester City in the first leg. With the famous Anfield crowd behind them, Klopp saw his team score 3 first-half goals to now take to Manchester. Salah and Firmino were among some of the key men rested at the weekend during the 0-0 Merseyside Derby. Pep will be expecting his side to bounce back after two consecutive defeats. At halftime of the Manchester Derby at the weekend, after having rested some key players, Pep would have felt good about his side’s chances of overturning their first-leg deficit. Manchester United had other plans, however, and losing 3-2 from a 2-0 position could not have helped Manchester City players’ confidence. Pep will know that one away goal from Liverpool will mean that his side will need 5 goals to win and go through. It is a tall order, but expect to see Manchester City take the game to Liverpool in this second leg.

 

Key Match Points

Manchester City coach Pep Guardiola observes his team in the English Premier League
  • Liverpool historically have experience in Champions League, but will be hoping to make the most of their first quarterfinal appearance since 2008-09. Interestingly enough, Liverpool have never won an away European game against an English club.
  • The Liverpool and Manchester United games were the first time in Pep’s career that his side have conceded three goals in consecutive matches.
  • Pep has won only 5 of his last 24 Champions League games away from home. 9 defeats and 10 draws. 27 goals for and 32 against.
  • Scoring will most likely not be a problem for City, however, keeping a clean sheet will be paramount to any comeback hopes, although last season Barcelona did the impossible and defeated PSG even after conceding an away goal.
  • Liverpool
    have failed to score in only four of their 23 away matches this season. Salah will hope to have recovered from a groin injury and rejoin Firmino in the starting XI.
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Featured, Europe Dennis Takaendesa Featured, Europe Dennis Takaendesa

Champions League Quarter-Final Overview: Liverpool vs Manchester City

Can the African connection carry Liverpool to glory?

Key Points

Manchester City players Leroy Sane, David Silva, Gabriel Jesus, and Raheem Sterling celebrate a goal in the English Premier League

 

  • Arguably the best game of the Premier League season will now be a two-legged affair in Champions League Quater-Final.

 

  • Klopp vs Pep. Historically, Klopp’s teams have always caused Pep’s teams problems and this tie will be no different. Both teams come into this game in wonderful form and full of confidence.

 

  • Mohammed Salah and Kevin De Bruyne have been standout players this season for both of their clubs, but Firmino and Silva will most certainly also play key roles
    over both legs.

 

The African connection of Mane and Salah brushed aside their opposite numbers in Porto’s colors. Algeria’s Brahimi and Cameroon’s Aboubakar were not too happy after Mane scored a hat-trick with Mohamed Salah also getting on the scoresheet in their 5-0 aggregate win for a place in the Quarter-Finals.

Mohamed Salah and Roberto Firmino celebrate a goal for Liverpool FC in the English Premier League

Liverpool is the only club remaining in the last eight with a flourishing African partnership. The Reds have had to largely bank on EPL leading scorer’s goals, Mohamed Salah, who has done nothing but smash records. They currently sit third in the English Premier League standings and will be keenly looking out for Salah and his side-kick Mane to show up and finish the team’ chances. Liverpool knows a lot about their Quarter-Final opposition, Manchester City, being the only team to have inflicted a defeat on them in the EPL title race with Mane and Salah both scoring in that encounter.

They did it once, can they do it again and give Liverpool fans some long forgotten silverware? I honestly love my African brothers, but I do not see Pep Guardiola losing this one.

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Africa, Europe, Digest Tinotenda Magiya Africa, Europe, Digest Tinotenda Magiya

Race For EPL Top Goalscorer

Salah’s aim to score against top 6 teams

salah44.png

Mohamed Salah of Liverpool is on par with Harry Kane as the English Premier League top goal scorer with 24 already to his name this season. The Egyptian winger is the talk of the moment and was interviewed by former Liverpool player Jamie Carragher on Friday. The player reflected on the fact that he has managed to score against all the other top 6 teams except for Manchester United and he feels he still has some unfinished business. He recalls the missed chances in the game played at Anfield and has been studying De Gea’s weaknesses because he is planning on scoring past the goalkeeper who is in the form of his career as well. The player says he looks for a goal in each game and wants to continue with his impressive form and go on to win the golden boot ahead of the best strikers in England. Do you think the Egyptian has what it takes to outscore Harry Kane, Sergio Aguero and the rest? Drop your comments below.

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