Ipswich Town forward Ali Al Hamadi made history on Saturday as he became the first Iraqi to play in the Premier League.
Al Hamadi entered the action on 74 minutes at Portman Road as his side lost 2-0 to a Mohamed Salah-inspired Liverpool.
As Andy Lewis explains, newly promoted Ipswich competed well in the opening 45 minutes but the visiting Reds, who were led by new manager Arne Slot for the first time, went through the gears after the break to emerge as comfortable winners on the opening Saturday of the season.
Al Hamadi produced a lively cameo with his movement earning him a couple of looks at goal. Twice he tested Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson Becker although he was marginally offside on both occasions.
The game would have been extra special for Al Hamadi who grew up in Liverpool having fled Iraq with his parents as an infant.
He had trials at both Liverpool and Everton before joining Tranmere Rovers and then moving to Swansea City's academy.
From there he signed professional terms at Wycombe Wanderers before a move to AFC Wimbledon ignited his career. A return of 27 goals in 48 games for the Dons caught the eye of Ipswich who paid around £1 million to sign him last January. Al Hamadi has three goals in 12 international appearances for Iraq.
There was further Middle East and North African interest in the game, with Ipswich skippered by Egypt midfielder Sam Morsy and his Pharaohs teammate Salah stealing the show with a sparkling second-half performance.
Salah was a menace as he looked to run in behind throughout. It finally paid off as he set up Diogo Jota for the opening goal and then slotted the second himself.
Remarkably, it was the ninth time Salah has scored on the opening weekend of a Premier League season for the Reds.
