Kostas Tsimikas has claimed that Liverpool teammate Mohamed Salah is the best player in the world.
Tsimikas was asked whether he agreed that Salah was the best on the planet during an interview with EA Sports via Liverpool FC on Twitter.
“He gives everything for the team, even when he defends and attacks,” said the 25-year-old. “Every game you expect something big from him. Mo for me is the best player.”
Liverpool looking to Mo for more
Not too long ago, Tsimikas’ claim couldn’t realistically be too heartily denied. Salah was absolutely sensational for the first half of the season as he gave Liverpool fans magic moment after magic moment.
Since returning from AFCON duty with Egypt in February though, he has really struggled to hit those heights.
Four non-penalty goals in his last 22 appearnces for Livreprool isn’t the kind of stats we’re used to seeing from Mo.
7 Footballers Who Were GENUINELY Irreplaceable
Despite this, he has still been providing goals on a decent enough level. This has meant that he has just about maintained his position at the top of both goals and assists charts in the Premier League.
Whatever his current form, he deserved his recent FWA Footballer of the Year award.
But in truth, Liverpool need quite a bit more from Salah right now. He may well be the best player in the world, but at the moment he isn’t even the best player in Liverpool’s forward line.
Ballon d’Or shooutout in Paris
FA Cup and Champions League finals in the weeks to come will give Mo a real chance to reignite his cause.
The final in Paris could indeed be a straight shootout for this year’s Ballon d’Or. If the first half of the campaign belonged to Salah, then Karim Benzema has taken custody of the second half.
It shouldn’t matter especially to fans of either team – the most important thing is getting hands on the trophy. But to the individuals concerned it’s a big goal to aim for.
Let’s hope that Mo can turn that motivation into a better performance than we’ve seen from him recently in Paris.