Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher has slammed Egypt and Liverpool star Mohammed Salah over the forward’s decision not to be amongst the first penalty takers for his national team. They lost to Senegal in Sunday’s Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) final.

“That is why your best penalty taker should never go fifth,” Carragher stated. “Salah not taking a penalty for Egypt in a shootout in a final is madness. Also happened to Ronaldo years ago for Portugal versus Spain.”

The Egyptian captain could not take the fifth kick in the shootout after Edouard Mendy saved from Mohanad Lasheen, subsequently ensuring that Liverpool teammate, Sadio Mane, got the golden chance to score the decisive penalty to help the Teranga Lions win a first-ever AFCON title.

After the final ended 0-0 in regular and extra time, the seven-time champions were the first to miss as Mohammed Abdelmonem crashed his shot onto the woodwork. Goalkeeper Gabaski restored parity by saving from Senegal’s Bouna Sarr before Mendy saved Egypt’s fourth penalty from Lasheen.

Salah was listed to take the fifth penalty on the night, but he never got the chance.