Liverpool drew 2-2 with Newcastle United at St James' Park in the Premier League on Sunday, while Mohamed Salah scored twice for Trabzonspor on the same afternoon, having left Anfield as a free agent.
Andoni Iraola's side fell behind after five minutes when Will Osula broke quickly after Liverpool lost possession deep in Newcastle's half. Osula found Anthony Elanga, who had beaten Milos Kerkez for pace, and the Sweden international scored from close range to give the hosts an early lead.
Cody Gakpo equalised 10 minutes into the second half with a long-range strike from the edge of the box, but Joe Willock soon restored Newcastle's lead in similar fashion to Elanga's opener. Willock received the ball from Yoane Wissa before finding the net, with Matthias Jaissle's side defending for the remainder of the match.
Late penalty rescues a point
In the fifth and final minute of stoppage time, Victor Munoz was brought down in Newcastle's box by Lewis Hall, allowing Dominik Szoboszlai to convert from the spot and secure the draw.
For some Liverpool supporters, the draw may feel like a small victory given the team were moments from returning to Merseyside with nothing to show for their efforts. The match serves as a wake-up call for Iraola and his first-team.
Salah's exit has been one of the big talking points of the season, with the 34-year-old having been the Reds' main driving force for most of his nine-year stint at the club. Long-time fans following Salah in the Turkish Super Lig may have felt envious that he no longer wears Liverpool's red, given his performance for Trabzonspor on the same day as the club's stalemate on Tyneside.
Brace for Trabzonspor
Salah started on the right-hand side for Trabzonspor against Istanbul Basaksehir at home at 5pm. He opened the scoring after eight minutes, pouncing on a spilled ball by goalkeeper Muhammed Sengezer to score from close range. Eldor Shomurodov equalised from the penalty spot just over 10 minutes later, but Salah scored again early in the second half. He played a one-two with Ernest Muci before bursting into the box, cutting an angle and slotting home with his left foot.
Salah could have secured a hat-trick late in stoppage time, firing from range into an empty net as Sengezer made his way back from a last-ditch corner, but the goal was ruled out for offside as Salah failed to time his run into the Basaksehir half.
Successor chase continues
Liverpool are eyeing a move for Paris Saint-Germain's Bradley Barcola as a potential successor to Salah. Paris Saint-Germain are reportedly demanding £145m for the 23-year-old Frenchman, with Liverpool hoping to reduce that figure to between £111m and £128m. Suggestions indicate their next written offer will be the one to seal the deal.
Liverpool now turn their attention to Saturday's Premier League clash with Nottingham Forest at Anfield. Whether they will be closer to securing Salah's successor by then remains to be seen.
