Sports
Mohamed Salah is ‘best in the business, without Messi and Ronaldo era’
Mohamed Salah’s contract situation might not be clear, but the forward’s status as an all-time Liverpool great is hardly in doubt.
Salah has been in the form of his life so far this season and his goal against AC Milan in the Champions League on Tuesday took his tally to 20 in all competitions – and we’ve only reached 7 December.
By date, only Reds legends Ian Rush (7 November) and Roger Hunt (25 November) have reached the landmark more quickly than Salah, who has also provided nine assists.
It was not a stellar showing from the former Fiorentina and Roma player at the San Siro, but he was still given a standing ovation by the home supporters when he made his way off the pitch just after the hour mark.
“Without the era of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, how would we think of Mohamed Salah right now?” asked Pat Nevin on BBC Radio 5 Live. “We would think of him as the best in the business.”
Former Celtic boss Neil Lennon said: “Mohamed Salah is up there with any other player I’ve seen in the past few years. He is the closest player I’ve seen to Lionel Messi.”
- ‘Where can he go at the minute? Spanish football is struggling’
Liverpool fell behind to England defender Fikayo Tomori’s effort for AC Milan before Salah equalised on 36 minutes for Jurgen Klopp’s men.
The forward was quickest to react to goalkeeper Mike Maignan’s save from Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain’s shot, firing in a first-time finish from the rebound into the roof of the net.
“When Salah had his shot, he took it when the ball was on the rise,” said Nevin. “Nobody takes it when the ball is on the rise, they take it when it’s going down.
“He thinks about things in a different way. He seems to get power out of his left foot in a way that only Lionel Messi can.”
However, there are still questions about Salah’s long-term future at Anfield, with the Egyptian yet to sign a new contract and his current deal set to expire in 2023.
Reds boss Klopp had sounded optimistic this week that his star man will agree a new deal, something former Anfield striker Michael Owen also believes will happen.
Owen told BT Sport: “His contract will get sorted out, but these things are complicated. This is probably the last big contract of his career so he’s got to take his time about things.
“Where can he go at the minute? Spanish football is struggling.”
Former Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand added: “Do you think he is sitting there with his agent and saying ‘just go and search out the highest-paid player in the league and put me a couple of pound above them’? He’s the best player in the league at the moment.”
- ‘I could not be more proud’
When Liverpool, Atletico Madrid, Porto and AC Milan were draw together in August, Group B was described as the ‘Group of Death’ but Klopp’s side swept all three times aside with ease.
They become the first English side in history to win all six games in a Champions League group stage, scoring 17 times and conceding six goals.
The Reds also won six successive Champions League matches for the first time, despite making a number of changes to their starting line-up, finishing an incredible 11 points clear of second-placed Atletico.
“Very proud,” said Klopp. “Especially because of the sixth game to be honest. We chose that line-up because we wanted to win the game. We needed fresh legs. We needed desire to play this game which is difficult in this hectic schedule to always be on fire for the next game.
“What the boys did tonight, I could not be more proud. It was an incredible game. I am so happy.
“The performance was outstanding. Having 21 shots, so many situations where we played outstandingly well and defended passionately and well organised.”
Source: footballghana.com
You may like
-
King Faisal appoint Godwin Ablordey as new assistant coach – Footballmadeinghana
-
King Faisal announce the appointment of Jimmy Corbblah as new head coach – Footballmadeinghana
-
Hearts of Oak announce squad for Real de Bamako clash – Footballmadeinghana
-
King Faisal confirm the sacking of Branko and his assistant Ivica – Footballmadeinghana
-
Hearts of Oak part ways with head coach Samuel Boadu – Footballmadeinghana
-
GTA and GFA partner DC United to Launch Capital City Africa Cup – Footballmadeinghana
Mahama leads NDC to mourn with Kufuor over wife’s passing
Former President John Dramani Mahama on Wednesday, October 4 led a delegation from the National Democratic Congress (NDC) to visit...
Former First Lady of Ghana Theresa Kufuor reported dead
The former First Lady of Ghana and wife of Ghana’s former President, John Agyekum Kufour, Mrs Theresa Kufuor has been...
The most powerful tool for change is the right to vote – Mahama
The 2024 flagbearer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), John Dramani Mahama, is rallying Ghanaains who have grown disillusioned with...
PFJ was a mere state resource looting platform – Minority
The Minority has descended heavily on the Akufo-Addo-led government for launching a second phase of the flagship Planting for Food...
ECOWAS is desecrating Ghana
The Director of Legal Affairs of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Mr Abraham Amaliba has said the Economy Community of...
Prof Gyampo elected President of UTAG, University of Ghana branch
A Senior Lecturer at the Political Science Department of the University of Ghana (Legon), Prof Ransford Gyampo have been elected...