Mohamed Salah delivered yet another unforgettable performance in Liverpool’s victory over West Ham, scoring his 20th goal of the season.
Salah’s goal just before half-time was impressive, but it was his assist for Cody Gakpo that stole the spotlight. The Egyptian winger nutmegged two West Ham defenders before setting up the Dutchman for a goal.
Former Manchester United Legend Gary Neville couldn’t hide his admiration, “I mean, Salah’s unbelievable, by the way. That little shuffle through the legs, that was a joke.”
Neville continued to praise on Salah, “Unbelievable, what a performer. You are talking about the best of the best. Just the fact he plays every single week and it feels like he never misses a match. He is an 8/10 or 9/10 every match and is one of the best in the world and is one of the best the Premier League has ever had.
He added, “It looks like he’s getting better and better, and more efficient. He hasn’t maybe got that same sort of electric pace that he had three or four years ago but is in that stage of his career of complete and utter experience and comfort, and knows exactly where he wants to be.”
The Egyptian’s consistency this season has been nothing short of extraordinary. With 17 goals and 13 assists in just 18 Premier League matches, he continues to break records while firmly establishing himself as a leading contender for next year’s Ballon d’Or.
Jamie Carragher shared Neville’s sentiment, suggesting that Salah is in the midst of an all-time great season. “I think we’re seeing an all-time season, I think Mo Salah has always seen himself, maybe not as good as Messi and Ronaldo but in that stratosphere as one of the best players in the world and he feels he has unjustly not been given certain awards.
Carragher continued, “You talk about the Ballon d’Or, which I feel revolves around a tournament sometimes. It’s always difficult for Egypt… I don’t think they’ve won the African Nations Cup with Salah. But the fact there is no tournament in the summer – if Liverpool were to win the league and go close in the Champions League, and the fact Mbappe at Real Madrid hasn’t started as he would have liked, Haaland has probably had the one season where he’s not at his best.”
“I think those factors put together mean that this is the best opportunity he has ever had of winning the Ballon d’Or. He is probably no.1 right now. If he replicates what he has done in the first half of the season, I think he wins the Ballon d’Or,” Carrager concluded.
Salah scored at least 20 goals in each of his eight seasons at Anfield. With half the current season still ahead, he looks well on track to challenge his personal record 2017/18 tally of 44 goals.