Mo Salah has final say after Liverpool caught out by Arsenal's Bukayo Saka trick

The suggestion this week was that rival Premier League bosses aren’t have cottoned on to pre-match attempts at subterfuge.

After seeing rifle in front inside the opening nine minutes at the Emirates Stadium, you’d be forgiven for thinking boss hadn’t got the message. The England star wasn’t meant to be back for this game with the injury suffered while on England duty earlier this month. That was the word, certainly coming out of the Arsenal camp.

Of note in recent days has been Arteta’s manoeuvrings to ensure the Merseysiders had no clue about Saka’s suitability to pitch up and play at the Emirates. That has included refusing to give straight answers to questions on his fitness, banning photos being taken of the player in training or any of him around the club's London Colney training ground being posted on social media.

So perhaps when he did indeed lead the Gunners out as captain - in the continued absence of Martin Odegaard - in North London, the Reds were caught a little on the hop.

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And certainly, when he raced away from and then skinned Andy Robertson, before slamming into the roof of Caiomhin Kelleher’s net, he looked nothing like a player carrying any kind of problem. Indeed, he got through 85 minutes where, every touch, every movement, spelled danger for his opposition.

Quickly, Saka, still only 23, is elevating himself into ‘ class’ territory. He’s added an increasingly ruthless edge to his game over the past 18 months, and in Odegaard’s absence is now taking even greater responsibility in Arsenal’s quest to secure a first title in 21 years come May. He has made clear in recent weeks that second is nowhere this term, first is all that matters.

And after Virgil van Dijk’s 18th minute header had levelled the scores, it was Mikel Merino who put Arsenal back in front, turning home devilish free-kick on the stroke of half-time - - to put Arsenal on course for three points that would close the gap on their visitors and league leaders .

But then, Saka is not the only player on a title mission this term.

And prime amongst such rivals: Salah.

In the 81st minute, when picked up possession on the edge of his own penalty area, there appeared little danger for the hosts to be worried about. But the England full-back clipped a glorious pass over the Arsenal backline to send Darwin Nunez into an inside-right channel and Salah spotted his moment to strike.

He had been standing on the touchline, tightly marked by recent arrival Myles Lewis-Skelly. The 18-year-old may well have fought there was little danger, but when Trent fired forwards, as Lewis-Skelly turned, Salah read the situation quicker than anyone. He changed course, drove straight to the penalty spot, knowing Nunez was winning the race to the ball.. and gave the Uruguayan the simple task of rolling one across for him to pass into the net past .

Salah’s contract continues to tick down at Anfield. He turns 33 next summer, and perhaps the Liverpool top brass don’t want to pay him the big-money he feels he’s still worth - and which he can land multiple times over if he moves to Saudi Arabia.

But like Saka it is he who is likely to be the biggest difference-maker if Slot can lead Liverpool to the title in his debut season.

Certainly, after being caught out by Saka’s blistering early strike, it was their Egyptian King to whom Liverpool were most thankful here.

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