Former Liverpool star Mohamed Salah made a sensational start to life at Trabzonspor, scoring twice as his new side defeated İstanbul Başakşehir 2-1 in the Süper Lig.

The Egyptian forward produced a reminder of his world-class quality on his home debut, while his former club endured a difficult opening-day draw against Newcastle United.

Salah opens his account for Trabzonspor

Mohamed Salah enjoyed a dream home debut for Trabzonspor, scoring twice to take his new side to a 2-1 victory over İstanbul Başakşehir in the Süper Lig.

The Egyptian icon opened the scoring just eight minutes into the match, scoring from close range to set the tone for the Black Sea club.

?Mohamed Salah scored his FIRST goal for Trabzonspor! ?? pic.twitter.com/Qbcu1U18zH

— Zakii (@LfcZaki) August 23, 2026

Shortly after the interval in the 48th minute, Salah struck again to seal his brace and put Trabzonspor back in front.

? @mislicom ile maç?n golü!

?? Ernest Muçi'nin asistinde, Mohamed Salah'tan so?ukkanl? gol!

? Kazanman?n tutkusu #MisliyleMisli’de! pic.twitter.com/V3SjNGvuPc

— beIN SPORTS Türkiye (@beINSPORTS_TR) August 23, 2026

?? Mohamed Salah with a good finish for Trabzonspor! ???pic.twitter.com/21kIdqQrUr

— Tekkers Foot (@tekkersfoot) August 23, 2026

He played a clever one-two inside the box before finessing it into the bottom left corner demonstrating that his world-class quality remains as sharp as ever following his summer move from Merseyside.

Salah almost scores stunning halfway-line hat-trick

Salah came agonizingly close to capping off his sensational individual performance with a hat-trick for the ages.

Spotting the opposition goalkeeper off his line, the 34-year-old forward unleashed an audacious strike from near the halfway line that nestled into the back of the net.

However, the spectacular effort was ultimately disallowed due to a marginal offside build-up phase, denying Salah what would have been one of the most remarkable goals of his career.

? Mohamed Salah’?n hat-trick’i ofsayta tak?ld?!#beINSPORTS #TSvBFK pic.twitter.com/zQOSv2Pao4

— beIN SPORTS Türkiye (@beINSPORTS_TR) August 23, 2026

?Mohamed Salah scored from midfield to secure a hat trick but the goal was ruled offside pic.twitter.com/lwVbj579P0

— Polymarket Sports (@PolymarketSport) August 23, 2026

Liverpool struggle without Salah on opening day

While Salah enjoyed a dream debut in Turkey, Liverpool endured a far more difficult afternoon in their first Premier League game of the 2026/27 season.

Liverpool found themselves trailing twice away at St. James’ Park against Newcastle United after goals from Anthony Elanga and Joe Willock.

Although Cody Gakpo equalised in the 55th minute, the Reds struggled for rhythm in the final third throughout the contest.

Liverpool were ultimately spared an opening-weekend defeat in the 99th minute when substitute Victor Munoz was fouled in the box.

Dominik Szoboszlai stepped up under extreme pressure to coolly convert a stoppage-time penalty into the top corner, salvaging a late 2-2 draw and rescuing a point for Andoni Iraola’s side.

Salah left Liverpool on a free transfer this summer after reaching a mutual agreement with the club over his departure.

Many believe he has been forced out of the club after his incredible fall out with former manager Arne Slot.

Salah spoke out about his strange mistreatment at the club, and alleged that someone at Liverpool no longer wanted him there.

The situation ultimately resulted in the surprise announcement that Salah would leave Liverpool at the end of the season.

His spectacular start to life at Trabzonspor will inevitably reignite debate among Liverpool supporters over whether the club made the right decision to allow one of the greatest players in its modern history to leave.