The aura is gone at Anfield. Once the most intimidating ground in Europe, it has lost its sanctity

A YEAR AGO, Mo Salah was locked in a tense and very public contract negotiation with the owners of Liverpool FC.

- eamondunphy

It dragged on for months.

Every press conference, every post-match interview, every whisper around Anfield revolved around whether the Fenway Sports Group would finally pay him what he deserved.

Eventually they did. The issue was settled, and most Liverpool supporters - including myself - felt the owners had been mean-spirited, almost disrespectful for taking so long to reward a player who had given them everything.

But football moves fast.

On Wednesday night Salah sat on the bench for most of the match; last Saturday he watched the entire thing from the bench.

It pains me to say it, but Mo may never again be the force he was even 12 months ago. The devastating turn of pace, the moments of magic, the confidence that terrified defenders - those things don't look as sharp any more.