As his post-match interview suggests, this might be the last year Mohamed Salah dons the Liverpool colors unless Michael Edwards decides otherwise.
Apart from Liverpool fans, probably nobody’s ready for the discussion that Salah has consistently been among the top three players for the last 6-7 years, let alone in the Premier League. Ask people to make a best PL XI of all time, and apart from Liverpool fans, probably nobody’s going to put his name beside Henry, Lampard, Ferdinand, and Agüero. People are constantly drawn to the notion of art and aesthetics, so I get it—Salah’s style doesn’t necessarily incite the same amazement in fans’ minds as Messi, Iniesta, or Ronaldinho. And that’s understandable.
But the way he has molded himself according to his team’s tactics, personnel, and style should be applauded. The version of Salah that José Mourinho sold was purely a pace merchant. He liked to dribble, used his pace and trickery to move beyond his marker—that’s it—not much end product followed. There was a very popular notion among some of my Serie A fan acquaintances that Salah often forgot he had already crossed the corner flag while sprinting straight down the wings.
Then came Klopp, a person who was initially more open to the idea of having Julian Brandt in his team than Mo Salah. Salah proved he could be Klopp’s Brandt—and much more. An inside forward who has now bulked up to keep up with the demands of the Premier League. This physically dominant Salah wasn’t afraid to go neck-to-neck with more physical defenders inside the box and take more shots. Hence, the unofficial No. 9 Salah was born—Firmino played just behind, Mané held the left flank, and Shaqiri shifted to the right. On paper, Salah was a RW, but his role was much more nuanced—creating the most popular notion about him among rival fans to this day: ‘Salah can only score but cannot create.’
Fast forward to 2024—should that notion still exist? Look at Díaz’s brace today; Salah created like a proper touchline-hugging wide forward. Trent Alexander-Arnold worked as a deep independent creator, Szoboszlai wreaked havoc in the half-spaces, and Salah duly obliged by creating from wide areas.
I hope Edwards sees that Salah has at least 3-4 top years left in him, just like Messi and Ronaldo, and offers him a new contract.
The funny part is, in all of his role iterations, he has maintained his blistering rate of scoring and assisting. No matter the role, task, personnel, coach, tactics, or style—the output always skyrocketed. Yes, he didn’t create eye-soothing sequences or showboat with meaningless dribbles every now and then like your other favorite players—instead, he always delivered the numbers, which spoke to his efficiency. He doesn’t dribble just for the sake of it; he dribbles only when he feels there’s a chance to create something.
I hope Edwards sees that Salah has at least 3-4 top years left in him, just like Messi and Ronaldo, and offers him a new contract.
Because he’s done his part in proving everyone wrong—a thing he’s best at doing.