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Troy Deeney doubles-down on comments that Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah is not ‘world-class’ and explains why

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Liverpool sit top of the Premier League and the UEFA Champions League standings, with Mohamed Salah a key reason behind this incredible run.

The Egyptian international has been nothing short of exceptional this season, with Luis Diaz recently hailing Salah as ‘extraordinary’ after the winger’s latest match-winning performance in Europe against Girona.

Although Salah has been noted as being ‘quiet’ in some games by the likes of Rio Ferdinand, the 32-year-old attacker’s numbers this season speak for himself, with the Liverpool forward arguably the best player in the world right now.

Yet for Troy Deeney, the Liverpool no. 11 doesn’t even crack it into his personal definition of ‘world-class’.

Girona FC v Liverpool FC - UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Phase MD6
Photo by Urbanandsport/NurPhoto via Getty Images

Deeney names Vinicius Junior as the best winger in football over Salah

Speaking on TalkSport, the former Watford captain shared that his personal definition of world-class means only one player in one position can hold the title, with Deeney saying Real Madrid winger Vinicius Junior is better than Salah.

Yet even with Salah managing more goals and assists that the Brazil international this season, Deeney believes the Madrid superstar is the sole world-class winger in football, despite Liverpool showing they would not be where they currently are without their Egyptian superstar.

Mohamed Salah’s 2024/25 statsVinicius Junior’s 2024/25 stats
Games played2219
Goals1613
Assists129

Deeney said when asked if he thinks Salah is world-class: “I’m a fan, I’m just not a fan of everyone saying every player is world-class. I was watching the Bayern Munich game yesterday, and now they’re saying Olise’s world-class.

“As soon as someone does something good, it’s now always: ‘They’re world-class.’ Granted, Salah’s done it for a long time, but if you were to ask me who’s the best winger in world football right now, it’s Vinicius Junior, but that’s just my personal opinion.”

Newcastle United FC v Liverpool FC - Premier League
Photo by Joe Prior/Visionhaus via Getty Images

No attacker is currently matching Salah in terms of impact

Deeney might have half a point that players these days seem to be lauded as ‘world-class’ having not done that much to justify such a title, but Salah is one of the rare few players in the game that certainly meet the criteria.

And based on current form, no forward can match what Salah is doing for the Reds in terms of impact in the final third, with the 32-year-old winger able to create something out of nothing and has helped Liverpool to multiple wins on the back of his own genius this season.

Indeed, Salah is the best player in world football in this moment in time, and Liverpool would not be as good as they are this season had the Egyptian international not hit the incredible heights he has reached under Arne Slot.