Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah has been one of the best players in the Premier League this season.
That’s the view of former Reds defender Jamie Carragher. It hasn’t been Salah’s best season at Anfield, with Liverpool suffering a steep drop-off from previous campaigns.
But despite the team’s general struggles, Carragher told The Essential Football Podcast that he believes Salah has still managed to do himself justice.
“I think Mo Salah’s been Liverpool’s best outfield player [this season],” said the pundit. “I think most Liverpool supporters will tell you Alisson’s been their best player, which tells it’s own story in terms of Liverpool’s performances throughout the campaign.
“But Mo Salah, you look at his numbers, goals and assists, they’re still massive. And that’s in a team that has been really struggling this season. We’ve seen him have better seasons, but that’s down to the quality of the team and the chances they’re providing for him.
“To produce the numbers he’s got this season on the back of being a really poor season [for Liverpool], I think it’s just testament to how good a player Mo Salah is. He’s still been one of the top players in the Premier League for me.”
Salah the best of a very bad bunch
Jamie, we’ve watched him every game this season. There’s no way Salah has been anything like one of the country’s best performers in 2022/23.
Numbers wise, he’s done alright. Certainly compared to the rest of teammates, Mo has been on another level. But 12 Premier League goals is still far below the division’s top scorers.
Seven further assists mean that the 30-year-old ranks joint-fifth for goals contributions. Not too bad. 23 goals in all competitions show that Salah has been doing it away from the Premier League, too.
Unfortunately though, the £34m man just hasn’t been consistent enough for Carragher’s acclaim to be taken seriously. Whereas players like Bukayo Saka and Erling Haaland have been crucial throughout the season, Salah has been missing for chunks of it.
His teammates have let him – and more clearly Alisson – down this season, that should be said. Mo has turned up far more than many others in Jurgen Klopp’s squad. When you’re the highest paid player in the clubs history though, that should be taken as read.
So no, Salah hasn’t been one of the best players in the division this season. He’s had some memorable moments and has even broken some records. But Liverpool fans are within their rights to expect much more from their Egyptian King. Hopefully next season we’ll see him more like his old self from the get-go.