Michael Owen has been shocked at the level of improvement seen from Mohamed Salah since he joined Liverpool.
Speaking to DAZN Canada, Owen said that he hadn’t expected Salah to be quite such a good goalscorer when he signed for the club.
“I think you would be a liar if anyone said they expected 40+ goals in his first season. But to come and score 40+ in your first season, and then continually do it, I am totally surprised,” said the former Liverpool striker.
“I always thought (goalscoring) was instinctive and it’s a natural born thing, whether you are a good finisher or you are not. And I do think, to a certain extent (it is instinctive), with certain runs. I have watched him now and thought, ‘you can improve as a finisher’. He’s mastered some finishes as well.”
Owen said that although the level that Salah has reached is a bit of a surprise, he will be remembered as one of the all time greats of the game.
“His improvement has staggered me and most of the footballing world. If he continues this level for a few more years, we will be talking about one of the greatest of all time,” said the 43-year-old.
Salah makes his claim as one of the best of all time
Owen is right. No one would have expected Salah to hit anything like 40 goals in his first season at Anfield. The Egyptian hit an incredible 44, with just one coming from the penalty spot.
It’s somewhat true that Mo has been unfairly marked against that super-human season ever since. Despite his brilliant scoring record, he has never got close to that tally again.
That has led to his status as a supreme goal-scorer being somewhat diminished by some sections of fans.
Not at Liverpool, though. Salah is already one of the greatest players to have pulled on the red shirt, and having now signed a new contract, he’s only going to rise up that list.
In that sense, the season started in predictable fashion for Salah last Saturday. His equaliser against Fulham was the sixth time in a row the 30-year-old had scored on opening a day. In case you were wondering, yes, that is a Premier League record.
That isn’t the only record with his name on it, either. That amazing debut season earnt him the title of the most individual goals in a 38-game Premier League season.
Numerous other records also bare the Egyptian legend’s name as English football bows to his throne.
It may have been a shock to many to see how good Salah has become. But whenever Liverpool score these days, it’s never a surprise to see his name up in lights.
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