Former Premier League referee Dermot Gallagher has dismissed any possibility that Mohamed Salah could have been adjudged to be offside in the build-up to the second goal against West Ham United. The Egyptian scored and assisted twice as the Reds moved eight points clear at the top of the Premier League following their 5-0 win over the Hammers.

Luis Diaz opened the scoring on the half-hour mark before Salah played a key role in Arne Slot's side doubling their lead 10 minutes later. Diaz latched on to a ball over the top of the Hammers defence before finding the 32-year-old who beat two defenders and teed up Cody Gakpo.

Salah got in on the act four minutes later, beating Alphonse Areola at his near post to fire the Reds in a three-goal half-time lead. Trent Alexander-Arnold and substitute Diogo Jota rubber-stamped the win to inflict misery on Julen Lopetegui's side.

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For the second goal, Salah, who was initially in an offside position moved into the direction of the ball before Diaz raced through. There wasn't many appeals for offside in the process and Gallagher moved to dispel any possibility that the Egyptian had strayed offside.

"There are three things you can be given offside for: line of vision, does he play the ball? No," he said speaking on Sky Sports' Ref Watch. "Does he impact the defender by challenging for the ball? They decided no because there was no defender there.

"He does move towards the ball, but then he peels away and as there is no defender there, he is not impacting the defender.

"The argument is because he goes towards that position, he does alter the defender's mindset. I get that, but the way the rule is written means you cannot penalise him.