Egypt captain Mohamed Salah has seemingly been accused of letting his ego take over in his country's penalty shootout defeat to Senegal in the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations final on Sunday.
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The Pharaohs suffered heartbreak at the Paul Biya Stadium in Yaounde this past weekend when they were defeated 4-2 on penalties by the Lions of Teranga, in a shootout in which Salah's turn did not come around.
As has been reported, the 29-year-old was expected to be Egypt's fifth taker, but Sadio Mane's effort from 12 yards secured Senegal's victory before Salah could have a say.
Ex-Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher has since expressed his confusion at Egypt's order of takers, a sentiment that has now been echoed by another former Reds star, Danny Murphy.
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"I think ego takes over when you want to take the fifth," he told talkSPORT
"Instead of thinking, 'what is best for the team?'
"I don't think you should ever take the fifth. I remember what Carra (Carragher) is talking about when Ronaldo missed out (at the 2006 FIFA World Cup).
"So did you notice in the final [on Sunday], one keeper stayed big and strong and central and then he went? (Edouard) Mendy went up and down the line, which is a difficult one.
"So this thing about there being a perfect way or a perfect preparation, you can cover certain aspects but there are some you can't.
"Ultimately, I think if you go up to take a penalty in a positive frame of mind and you are not worried about repercussions…
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"Your best penalty taker shouldn't be fifth – that I do agree on. So many times you don't get a fifth penalty."
