Can Liverpool's Mohamed Salah repeat his hat-trick heroics against Leeds United?

Sean Byrne
15 April 2021

Salah was in blistering form when he took on Leeds United on the opening day of the season and Jurgen Klopp will be hoping history repeats itself on Monday night.

Mohamed Salah may only have one appearance against Leeds United, but it certainly wasn't one he will forget in a hurry...

Following Liverpool's exit from the Champions League at the hands of Real Madrid this week, the Reds will now have to rely on a top four finish if they are to play in the competition next season.

Jurgen Klopp's men currently sit sixth in the table and just three points adrift of fourth, and with the season's finale approaching every game is vital.

This game week, Liverpool will face Marcelo Bielsa's side on Monday night who are currently tenth, and the last time these two met it was a thrilling spectacle at the start of the season with the Reds just managing to claim victory.

Tip for the Fixture

Given Salah's impressive performance last time out against Leeds, Sky Bet are offering decent odds at 4/6 for Liverpool to win and Salah to score.

He is 16/1 to score a treble again. *Betting odds were at the time of writing this article and may have changed.

Stat attack

Liverpool have not lost to Leeds since a 2-1 defeat at Anfield in 2001. Lee Bowyer was the hero that day, scoring the winner for David O'Leary's men.

The last time Liverpool faced Leeds at Elland Road was in 2009, and they were victorious in the League Cup third-round fixture, overcoming a determined and dogged Leeds side 1-0.

Mo Salah has made just one appearance against Leeds, however it was certainly a memorable one as he scored three of his side's four goals.

Here, we take a look back at that game when these two faced each other on the opening day of the 2020/21 Premier League campaign:

Liverpool 4-3 Leeds United

Anfield, September 12, 2020

A seven-goal thriller was decided by an 88th minute penalty converted by Salah, who also brought home the match ball in this exciting encounter to welcome Leeds back to the Premier League.

It didn't take long for the first piece of action, as Salah's shot was blocked by an outstretched arm of Robin Koch after just four minutes of play.

Referee Michael Oliver pointed to the spot, and the Egyptian winger stood up to take it himself. In typical fashion, he converted well by smashing the ball into the roof of the net leaving 'keeper Illan Meslier no chance.

By the half hour mark, the score was level at two-a-piece with Patrick Bamford and Jack Harrison scoring for the newly-promoted side, and Virgil Van Dijk easily heading in from a corner for the Reds.

Bielas's side were playing some beautifully chaotic football, and were certainly testing the reigning champions early on.

Leeds boss Marcelo Bielsa has denied he is close to signing new two-year contract after reports in Argentina had suggested otherwise

After 33 minutes, Salah had his second after magnificently converting a floating cross from Andy Robertson to hand his side the lead once again.

In the second half, Leeds got their equaliser through Mateusz Klich, and it looked like Leeds' hard work would be rewarded with a point.

But Klopp's men had other ideas, and their pressing eventually paid off as Fabinho was foolishly brought down with just minutes remaining on the clock.

Up stepped Salah from the spot once again, and once again he provided by slotting the ball neatly into the bottom left corner.

Not only did this secure all three points for Liverpool, but also three goals for Salah in his first game of the season.

The hat-trick gave Salah a record amongst the best, as he became the fifth Liverpool player to score three or more hat-tricks for the club in the Premier League.

The other four include Fernando Torres (three), Luis Suarez (seven), Michael Owen (seven) and Robbie Fowler (eight).

He also became the second player in history to score in the opening game of the Premier League season for four consecutive seasons, the only other player being Teddy Sheringham.

The performance was a strong attacking one for Liverpool, and Salah was involved in most forward moves which earned him a well-deserved Man of the Match performance.

This Monday night he will be hoping to replicate this performance as his side make their final push for the all-exclusive top four spot.
Leeds will have other ideas though, after beating Europe's most in-form team Manchester City last weekend.