Mo Salah’s Penalty Success Explained by Liverpool Legend Jan Mølby | OneFootball

Mo Salah’s Penalty Mastery: Jan Mølby on the Psychology and Technique

Penalty-taking in football has evolved from a simple formality to a spectacle. Liverpool’s Mo Salah has emerged as one of the game’s most reliable spot-kick takers, boasting an 84.6% conversion rate with 44 successful penalties out of 52 attempts. On the Molby on the Spot podcast, former Liverpool midfielder and penalty specialist Jan Mølby discussed Salah’s approach to penalties, offering expert insight into the mentality and technique behind the Egyptian’s success.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w2cUr38injA&ab_channel=AnfieldIndex

Mo Salah’s Approach to Penalties

Salah has firmly established himself as Liverpool’s primary penalty taker, a role that has seen him surpass Steven Gerrard’s record in terms of efficiency. Mølby, who netted 42 out of 45 penalties during his Liverpool career—a staggering 93.3% success rate—highlighted Salah’s unique style.

“The first thing I noticed, Trev, is he doesn’t look at the goalkeeper,” Mølby remarked. “The goalkeeper is almost irrelevant. I have a feeling—and I’m only guessing—that he decides before the game where he’s going to put it and then practises it.”

This method contrasts with players like Bruno Fernandes or Cole Palmer, who typically wait for the goalkeeper to move before deciding where to place the ball. Salah, on the other hand, appears to focus purely on execution. “He just concentrates on the things he can influence—the ball, the speed of the strike. He knows exactly where he’s going to put it.”

The Evolution of Penalties in Football

Reflecting on how penalties have changed, Mølby noted that in his playing days, they were treated as routine. “You’d get the ball, put it on the spot, put it in the back of the net, and run back to the halfway line. If you were lucky, someone would give you a high-five,” he said. “Now, penalties are theatre.”

He elaborated on the modern penalty process: “It’s given, then we have the complaints, then the VAR check, then someone protecting the penalty spot or holding the ball for the taker. Then the taker has their ritual, like Mo with his little movement to the right, and then the celebration is equal to any other goal scored.”

Salah’s run-up, often perceived as unpredictable, adds another layer of intrigue. “That Mo Salah run-up throws me every time,” admitted Mølby. “But I think he’s actually disguising where he’s going to hit it rather than telegraphing it.”

Mentality and Technique: What Makes a Great Penalty Taker?

Mølby, known for his own impeccable penalty record, believes that confidence and repetition are crucial. “For a left-footer, the bottom right corner is home,” he explained. “For me, as a right-footer, it was the bottom left. It’s about comfort. You strike the ball where it feels most natural.”

He also discussed how certain players, including Liverpool legends, struggled with penalties. “You mention a penalty to Ian Rush at the peak of his Liverpool career, and he’d run a mile,” he recalled. “John Barnes took a few but wasn’t a great penalty taker.”

On Salah’s evolution, Mølby acknowledged that the Egyptian’s technique has changed slightly. “It seemed a bit more out of control at times, but it’s clear he’s worked on disguising his placement.”

Conclusion

Mo Salah’s penalty-taking prowess is a blend of meticulous preparation, unwavering confidence, and technical excellence. As Jan Mølby observed, Salah’s ability to ignore the goalkeeper and focus entirely on execution sets him apart. His dominance from the spot reflects the broader transformation of penalties in modern football—from a mere set-piece to a moment of high drama.

With Salah continuing to deliver under pressure, Liverpool fans can take comfort in knowing that when he steps up, the odds are overwhelmingly in his favour.