The Norwich City net was still rippling when Mohamed Salah’s agent reached for his phone.
“I hope they’re watching,” tweeted Ramy Abbas Issa after his client had capped an outstanding performance with a superb strike for Liverpool’s third goal.
It doesn’t take a brilliant mind to deduce the cryptic meaning behind the message.
With Virgil van Dijk having joined Alisson Becker, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Fabinho in penning improved long-term deals at Anfield, securing Salah’s similar commitment has now become a priority with the Egyptian having entered the final two years of his contract.
Salah and his representatives have flirted a little with other clubs during the last 12 months – Barcelona and Real Madrid most notably – but it has seemed somewhat half-hearted.
Instead, all signs point to the forward wanting to stay at Liverpool, the club that has helped transform him from undoubted potential to one of the greatest players in the world.
And if Salah sticks around for an extended period, there’s every chance his record-breaking Anfield career can see him become a bona fide club legend.
Certainly, the indications on the Premier League opening weekend at Norwich City are that Salah remains Liverpool’s best and most important player, choosing the return of packed stadia to put on an outstanding show of his prowess.
Even if he perhaps didn’t mean his touch from Trent Alexander-Arnold’s cross to roll into the path of Diogo Jota for the opener, that he was in such a dangerous position underlined his constant threat and scent for a goal.
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There was no such debate over his unselfish assist for substitute Roberto Firmino to slot home the second, nor the emphatic finish from 16 yards after a Kostas Tsimikas corner dropped invitingly into his path.
The tricks were then rolled out, a backheel prompting purrs of appreciation from the jubilant away support, before one mazy run saw him twist and turn away from seemingly most of the Norwich population to further cheers as Jurgen Klopp’s side put down a significant early marker of their intent this season.
On the pitch, Salah once again means business. And off it, the clear inference is that he wants matters sorted with Liverpool.
Over to you, Fenway Sports Group.
