Mohamed Salah: The night the ‘phenomenal’ Liverpool man downed Roma
Mohamed Salah was named Professional Footballers’ Association Player of the Year on Sunday. Two days later, he established himself as one of the best in Europe. Next step: the world?
On a memorable European night at Anfield, the Egyptian scored twice and made two more goals as Liverpool routed Roma 5-2 in the first leg of their Champions League semi-final.
He now has 43 goals in 47 appearances this season – a record that does not look out of place next to the elite attacking players in the game: Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo and Neymar.
And there have been calls for him to be the next winner of the most prestigious individual accolade in world football.
“You’ve got to give him the Ballon d’Or,” former Wales midfielder Robbie Savage told BBC Radio 5 live following Salah’s second goal on Tuesday. “He is that good.
“Never mind the PFA Player of the Year, just give him the Ballon d’Or.”
Former Liverpool striker Robbie Fowler, who was nominated for the award in 1996, described Salah as a “phenomenal player”.
“The form and confidence he’s in at the minute, to have the class and style to score those goals just speaks measures of the man,” Fowler told BBC Radio 5 live.
“The man we all talked about before the game; the man for the big occasion.”
And those big occasions keep on coming. If Liverpool can finish the job in Rome, a Champions League final in Kiev beckons.
Just weeks later, Salah will take his talents to the global stage, when he spearheads Egypt’s attack at the World Cup in Russia.
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The stats which keep getting better
- Salah is the first African player in history to score at least nine goals in a single European Cup/Champions League season.
- He has scored in each of his past five Champions League starts – the only Reds player to score in five consecutively before the Roma tie was Steven Gerrard between October 2007 and February 2008
- Salah’s haul of 43 goals is the most by any player in all competitions in Europe’s top five leagues this season.
- He has surpassed England’s 1966 World Cup-winning hero Roger Hunt (42) in terms of goals in a single season for Liverpool. Only Ian Rush has scored more (47).
- Salah has scored 10 goals in the Champions League this season – the most, along with Roberto Firmino, by a Liverpool player in a single season in European competition.
- The Egyptian is just the fifth player in Premier League history to be involved in more than 40 goals in a single season (31 goals, nine assists). Alan Shearer (47 in 1994-95), Andrew Cole (47 in 1993-94), Thierry Henry (44 in 2002-03) and Luis Suarez (43 in 2013-14) are the others.
How Salah compares to the best
Real Madrid forward Ronaldo, Barcelona frontman Messi and Paris St-Germain attacker Neymar are considered by most to be the best three footballers in the world, but how have they fared this season when compared to Salah?
| Player | Games played | Goals | Assists | Shot conversion rate | Chances created | Shots on target |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Salah | 47 | 43 | 13 | 23.89 | 87 | 90 |
| Ronaldo | 39 | 42 | 8 | 16.22 | 53 | 111 |
| Messi | 50 | 40 | 18 | 14.81 | 112 | 127 |
| Neymar | 30 | 28 | 16 | 20.59 | 98 | 63 |
‘He is world class’ – Klopp
Speaking after Tuesday’s game, Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp said Salah is “world class” but might not be the best in the world just yet.
“To be the best in the world maybe you have to do it for a longer period,” said Klopp.
“His first goal is a genius strike, he’s scored a couple like that. The second goal was also great play.
“He is in outstandingly good shape. He is a fantastic player that we are really happy to have. What a player!”
Salah joined the Reds for £34m in the summer from Roma, but Klopp would not acknowledge Tuesday’s result could have been different had the winger stayed put.
“If Neymar didn’t go to PSG, then Phil Coutinho is still here. It’s just if, if, if,” said Klopp.
Speaking on BT Sport, former Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard said Salah is the “best player on the planet right now”.
‘Magical’ – Pundits’ reaction to sensational night
Commentator Alan Green on Radio 5 live: “I should be ashamed to take money for working tonight. Thank you.”
Former Liverpool midfielder Steve McManaman on BT Sport: “It’s just like a stroll in the park. I’m amazed by this performance tonight. It’s absolutely unbelievable! You just can’t believe it!”
BBC chief football writer Phil McNulty: “Sadio Mane may have let Roma escape but there was no chance of Mo Salah making the same mistake – two bits of magical finishing from the Egyptian.”
Match of the Day presenter Gary Lineker on Twitter: “Oh Mo. Oh My.”
BBC World Service reporter John Bennett: “If Mohamed Salah keeps this up he’s playing himself into Ballon d’Or contention. And Nobel prize contention. And Pulitzer Prize contention. And Turner Prize contention.” BBC
