As Liverpool prepares for a crucial Champions League second-leg clash against Paris Saint-Germain, a storm of controversy is swirling around Mohamed Salah. The Egyptian superstar's benching during the first leg's 2-0 defeat has ignited fierce criticism from his homeland, adding a dramatic subplot to an already high-stakes European night.

The decision by manager Arne Slot to leave the 33-year-old winger out of the starting lineup in Paris has been met with what French outlet Foot Mercato describes as "incomprehension and frustration" across Egypt. Some local media outlets have gone so far as to label the move a "form of humiliation" for the nation's greatest footballing icon.

The backlash was fueled by Liverpool's tepid performance, which saw the Reds muster zero shots on target and manage just 26% possession. The team's attacking impotence only amplified the question on everyone's mind: what difference could a player of Salah's caliber have made?

True to his champion's mentality, Salah has responded in the perfect fashion. In his first Anfield appearance since announcing his impending departure from the club, the 'Egyptian King' silenced doubters by scoring a vital goal against Fulham—his 256th for Liverpool—and reminding the football world of his enduring threat on the right flank.

The Anfield faithful roared their appreciation at full-time, a sentiment echoed by pundits, and his resurgence has now made his selection for the PSG return leg seem essential. With Liverpool needing to overturn a two-goal deficit, the debate is no longer about if Salah should start, but how pivotal his role will be in mounting a historic comeback.

The sentiment from Egypt was captured by journalist Magdy Salama, who argued that Salah has been unfairly singled out, underscoring the immense pressure and expectation resting on the shoulders of Liverpool's iconic number 11 as he walks out at Anfield one more time in European competition.