“The best player in the world right now,” a phrase that has been repeated by the colleagues of the Egyptian star Mohamed Salah in Liverpool, his coach Jurgen Klopp, and a number of analysts, experts and former coaches.
Among them is the Scottish former Reds coach Graeam Souness, who confirmed that Salah is currently "the best player in the world", after his amazing performance with "Liver" since the beginning of the new season in the English Premier League and the Champions League.
"I agree with Klopp that Mohamed Salah is the best player in the world this season," Souness wrote in his column in The Times.
He added, "He may be a selfish player, but this is the quality of the big stars. This frustrates his teammates at times, especially Senegalese striker Sadio Mane. However, other players accept this trait in him because he presents very good levels."
Souness, who coached Liverpool in the 1990s, pointed out that "Salah's supposed selfishness gives an additional advantage to the team, as he either scores goals or makes room for his teammates", as defenders usually impose censorship on the Egyptian international, and this opens spaces for his colleagues to score. Therefore, it is difficult for anyone to criticize him.
He concluded by saying that "Salah's selfishness turned him into a goal-scoring machine."
Sounis called on the Liverpool administration not to forfeit the "pride of the Arabs", and to work to renew his contract, which will expire after less than two years.
And there were reports that Salah, 29, has so far refused to sign a new contract unless it includes a clause that specifies his weekly salary of about 500,000 pounds (about 690,000 US dollars).
Salah stated - in an interview with "Sky Sports" earlier - that he would like to end his football career in the "Reds", adding that this matter is not in his hands, but rather it is up to the administration at "Anfield".
Here, Souness says in his article, "I will not speculate on what Salah demands, but Liverpool must meet what he wants."
He concluded, "It is in the interest of the team management to pay him as much money as they can, and it is also in Salah's interest to stay in this club where he witnessed his brilliance."