Mo Salah

[Henrik Larsson]

One guy plays for Brazil the other for Egypt. If you were interested in fair comparison it would at the least be worth highlighting with and without.

Yeah feck me, I’d have to copy and paste even more shite while being on a tablet. It’s nonsense too, Salah has brilliant numbers for Egypt from the looks of it.

What do you in all your scouse wisdom make of the claim that Neymar’s never ever had a season nearly as good as Salah (who obviously in the most literal sense statistically tops anything Neymar’s ever done)? Because that’s what this was about...

 

[El Pasillo]

Sneijder in 2010?

As POTS? I remember Sneijder in 2010, perhaps Neuer in 2014. I also remember Iniesta being in the conversation once or twice. But yeah, it's a rather rare occurence.

Revisionism as it finest.

Sneijder wasn't even voted Inter's best player of the season back in 2010. It was Milito and rightfully so.

Or the fact that Sneijder wasn't picked in Serie A team of the season.

Never mind that he wasn't MVP in any of the tournaments he played in 2010

- Serie A POTY: Milito
- UEFA Club footballer of the year: Milito
- UEFA Super Cup MOTM: Reyes
- FIFA CWC Golden Ball: Eto’o
- World Cup Golden Ball: Forlán

Sneijder's 2009-10 season is overrated due to team achivements. Was he influential? Of course.

But just because he was the common factor between two teams doesn't mean that he was the best player in the world.

From Zonal Marking on Sneijder - who didn't even make his best XI of World Cup 2010.

Was actually quite underwhelming for most of the competition and his performances have been overrated by many, but deserves a mention for his goal count, even if a couple were rather fortunate.

His player of the season? Lionel Messi.

It’s boring to say Lionel Messi, but the answer is quite clearly Lionel Messi.

Messi scored 47 goals for Barça in 09/10 season & carried Argentina to the WC quarterfinals in spite of having a utter crap coach in Diego Maradona.

47 goals was a brilliant achivement, the last person to do that was R9 in 96/97 season - who won a Ballon d'Or for that performance.

 

[Dumbstar]

Hindsight is a good thing, mate. If you believed earlier in the season that he would carry you to the ucl final then fair enough.

Btw, welcome back.

Absolutely. Hindsight is great. I wasn't fully convinced about Salah myself. Was hoping he'd get us 10-15 goals as Mane's sub.

 

[Judas]

He's having a great season, and if he comes close to it next season then you can debate where he stands in terms of the best players in the world. But at the moment he's just having a one off out of character season.

 

[Dumbstar]

Says the bloke who claimed Brendan fecking Rodgers was the most important person at the club and wasn't fussed about losing out on Salah. What a genius you are.

Rodgers still hurts, man. What a buffoon he turned out.

 

[IronCroos37]

Liverpool always had super world class players one after another like Fowler, Torres, Gerrard, Suarez, Coutinho and now Salah. However 1 gem is not enough to win the League as Liverpool has to many average players especially in defence.

I expect Salah to go to Real/Barca and then somehow manage to find another gem and repeat, while no League. Cups maybe...

 

[B20]

He's having a great season, and if he comes close to it next season then you can debate where he stands in terms of the best players in the world. But at the moment he's just having a one off out of character season.

Where did christiano Ronaldo stand in 2009 when he followed up his 42 goal season with 26 goals?

 

[ZAGREB RED]

What a player, it just looks so simple and effortless with him. How he will follow up next season will be interesting, whether he is still at Liverpool or not.

 

[FlawlessThaw]

Absolutely. Hindsight is great. I wasn't fully convinced about Salah myself. Was hoping he'd get us 10-15 goals as Mane's sub.

To be fair I don't think even the most ardent Salah fan thought he would be as good as he has been. I personally thought he would be the pound for pound the signing of the summer, thought he would bag 15 league goals and everyone would talk about what a bargain he was. But to be at worst now the 2nd best player in Europe is something I can't see anyone would have foreseen.

 

[Judas]

Where did christiano Ronaldo stand in 2009 when he followed up his 42 goal season with 26 goals?

It was pretty disappointing in terms of goals scored in comparison, but he was still key in leading us to the title and another CL final, so not too bad.

 

[B20]

It was pretty disappointing in terms of goals scored in comparison, but he was still key in leading us to the title and another CL final, so not too bad.

:-/

 

[Marcus]

He's having a great season, and if he comes close to it next season then you can debate where he stands in terms of the best players in the world. But at the moment he's just having a one off out of character season.

Yup, we cannot tell at this point of time whether Salah is just doing a Leceister. We need to see what happens next season as well .

 

[Harold_Giles]

Great player having a world class season.

What I don't understand is why Mourinho seems to be the only manager who has had the imagination to instruct a player to man mark Salah.

If you watch his two assists last night, Salah is alone on the wing with acres of space to run into - not a defender in sight. It's madness. Have a player shadow his movement so that he doesn't have the luxury of receiving the ball with time to look up and start running at you.

Let's hope Bayern or Real look at how United / A.Young dealt with him.

 

[RedPed]

Just a bit frustrating how other clubs are able to get these £30-40m gems! But what a player! What a season he's having!

Just imagine Liverpool raking in £300m from TWO players??

 

[The holy trinity 68]

You see this annoys me this "we shouldn't be comparing him to Ronaldo or Messi"

Agreed comparing them over their respective careers SO FAR is absolutely ludicrous and moronic

But NO ONE is nor has ever done that, they have compared Salah to those 2 with regards to THIS SEASON and this season alone which I think is totally acceptable, what is wrong with that??

Messi and Ronaldo are the bench mark setters, Salah in this season alone has achieved that benchmark

That itself is a great achievement, he's been better than them this season near enough

Have you been on social media lately? All the betting sites on facebook and the people commenting are comparing him to Ron and Messi.

It's pretty obvious he's not comparable to either of them. He's a couple of months off 26. At that point Ronaldo had just had a 50+ goal season to add to his 42-goal season, and Messi had just broken the 50-goal barrier for three seasons in a row, with a 100+ goal calendar year. And they basically maintained that level since then. Salah would have to do a lot more than keep up what he's doing for it to be remotely credible comparison. If he keeps it up it's possible he'll take over as they step back, but that's a long shot in itself.

To be fair, Klopps style is working wonders for their attack not just Salah, Firminho and Mane have been on fire. Imagine Ron and Messi, Lewandowski, Suarez, Neymar, Aguero, Kane. They would be banging them in more than they are for their own clubs in my opinion.

Salah is sublime, but is he any better than those mentioned? Klopp has an amazing attacking system that is helping Salah play the way he is.

 

[The holy trinity 68]

Just a bit frustrating how other clubs are able to get these £30-40m gems! But what a player! What a season he's having!

Just imagine Liverpool raking in £300m from TWO players??

Any top attacker in this Liverpool system would perform brilliantly. Put the same attackers in Uniteds current system and they don’t perform the same way.

It isn’t about them buying bargains, it is the system of play that helps. Swap Lukaku and Salah and they would have a similar goals return.

 

[cyberman]

Where did christiano Ronaldo stand in 2009 when he followed up his 42 goal season with 26 goals?

He suffered a bad injury in the summer and took a while to regain full fitness.
I would say Ronaldo offered more than Salah though so a dip in goal returns would hamper Salah more than it would Ronaldo.

 

[cyberman]

Just a bit frustrating how other clubs are able to get these £30-40m gems! But what a player! What a season he's having!

Just imagine Liverpool raking in £300m from TWO players??

Heres the annoying bit. Klopp didn't even want Salah, the transfer committee had to convince Jurgen he was worth it

 

[Trizy]

With how shite we have been from the right this season (and the past

Just a bit frustrating how other clubs are able to get these £30-40m gems! But what a player! What a season he's having!

Just imagine Liverpool raking in £300m from TWO players??

Only problem with that is everyone will know they have money and rob them blind. See Barcelona Neymar/Dembele.

 

[giorno]

Where did christiano Ronaldo stand in 2009 when he followed up his 42 goal season with 26 goals?

On the balcony of his mansion, at dawn, looking forlorn in madrid's direction?

Incidentally, that's how Salah will stand too in a few months

 

[Classical Mechanic]

Any top attacker in this Liverpool system would perform brilliantly. Put the same attackers in Uniteds current system and they don’t perform the same way.

It isn’t about them buying bargains, it is the system of play that helps. Swap Lukaku and Salah and they would have a similar goals return.

I don't agree on the Lukaku point He would make Liverpool a lot worse as a team. Klopp's system relies on a high pressing number 9 in the mould of Firmino. Lukaku is the worst pressing number 9 I can think off and he isn't technically gifted on the counter like Firmino is.

I agree that Liverpool's system suits Salah and enhances his performances but it isn't a case of just dropping any player into any system and getting the same results.

 

[The holy trinity 68]

I don't agree on the Lukaku point He would make Liverpool a lot worse as a team. Klopp's system relies on a high pressing number 9 in the mould of Firmino. Lukaku is the worst pressing number 9 I can think off and he isn't technically gifted on the counter like Firmino is.

I agree that Liverpool's system suits Salah and enhances his performances but it isn't a case of just dropping any player into any system and getting the same results.

Any top player I said, Lukaku would maybe take a little while to adapt but he would still be good, maybe not how Salah has been but still a good player.

Was just making a point of Klopp’s system.

 

[Smores]

Any top attacker in this Liverpool system would perform brilliantly. Put the same attackers in Uniteds current system and they don’t perform the same way.

It isn’t about them buying bargains, it is the system of play that helps. Swap Lukaku and Salah and they would have a similar goals return.

Any top attacker with pace and good movement sure. Lukaku wouldn't be a natural fit in any of their attacking positions imo and neither would Martial without improvements, you could make an argument for Rashford.

Still both teams struggle against a packed and structured defence. I'd expect Salah to be frustrated next season as more teams plan for his movement.

 

[Adam-Utd]

Ah, The Robben Fallacy.

The time they didn't, he raced to the byline and teed up Firmino's goal instead.

Let's be honest their 3 at the back was idiotic, the LCB Juan Jesus was as slow as an oil tanker, Salah had it FAR too easy, they never got close.

I think because he was their ex player and he wasn't "this" good back then, they thought they'd handle him easier?

 

[LawCharltonBest]

If Salah was a United player and had the season he's had, we'd have had Real Madrid pulling every dirty trick this summer to turn his head. Liverpool is very beneath his ability, and he should leave asap.

 

[carvajal]

On the balcony of his mansion, at dawn, looking forlorn in madrid's direction?

Incidentally, that's how Salah will stand too in a few months

 

[VorZakone]

In all seriousness, just where the hell does such form come from?

 

[giorno]

Let's be honest their 3 at the back was idiotic, the LCB Juan Jesus was as slow as an oil tanker, Salah had it FAR too easy, they never got close.

I think because he was their ex player and he wasn't "this" good back then, they thought they'd handle him easier?

Nah. Manager didn't expect them to shit it and collapse as soon as liverpool increased the tempo. They were losing every 50/50 ball, players were consistently caught out of position, losong the ball under no pressure. There was a moment back on 1-0 where roma won the ball back at the edge of their box, 3 roma players around the ball, 2 in front waiting for a pass, two liverpool players somewhat close but not really to those 2, and firmino 15 yard behind the defenders, who spent like a full 2 seconds just standing there looking at the ball, allowing firmimo, who'd initially given up on the play, to run back and nick it away

That said it all. Complete breakdown, on every level. Di Francesco at one point told them to set up in a 433 and they set up in a 4231 instead...

 

[giorno]

In all seriousness, just where the hell does such form come from?

Confidence. Improvement in his decision making and touch/technique. But mostly confidence

 

[AlexUTD]

What a bargain he is.

Best transfer this season sadly.

 

[Adam-Utd]

Nah. Manager didn't expect them to shit it and collapse as soon as liverpool increased the tempo. They were losing every 50/50 ball, players were consistently caught out of position, losong the ball under no pressure. There was a moment back on 1-0 where roma won the ball back at the edge of their box, 3 roma players around the ball, 2 in front waiting for a pass, two liverpool players somewhat close but not really to those 2, and firmino 15 yard behind the defenders, who spent like a full 2 seconds just standing there looking at the ball, allowing firmimo, who'd initially given up on the play, to run back and nick it away

That said it all. Complete breakdown, on every level. Di Francesco at one point told them to set up in a 433 and they set up in a 4231 instead...

Well yes they were like deer in the headlights also - but it was a very clear mistake to leave him isolated 1v1.

 

[Zehner]

Think it was an outstanding performance of him. The Messi comparisons are deserved, he would have been proud of the match Salah had yesterday. Not only because of his scorers but the way he played. Had some very good dribbles (especially before one of the assists) and passes. A very, very impressive player. I remember Leverkusen were linked with him at the beginning of his career and I watched some of his videos where he already was a brillant dribbler. Hadn't heard of him again so I assumed he was one of these players who had much talent but simply lacked productivity in their solo runs. Never expected he would turn into such a player at Liverpool.

Of course career-wise, he can't be compared with both Ronaldo and Messi but right now he shows performances which are up there. Of course Ronaldo is a totally different player and Messi is a real prodigy but Salah is finally someone who at least for one season steps up to them. Think we've seen this very rarely throughout their eras, especially compared to the much broader range of their Ballon D'Or predecessors. Probably this has also do with the concentration of talent. Other potential contenders like Neymar, Iniesta, Xavi, Modric, Kroos etc. simply played with them and stood in their shadows. Salah is not and I like that.

Also I guess we are kind of spoiled by Messi and Ronaldo. Before them it wasn't uncommon that players only stepped up once they reach the 25 year mark (see someone like Zidane) and keep that level for maybe 3-4 years.

 

[meninred]

A carbon copy of messi...he sealed his position as the third best player.Now to B'allon d'or.

 

[Raoul]

A few quotes from the first page:



Take a boo Blue.



This is like an anti anti jinx.



Unbaffle yourself man. It's unseemly.

We’re stull baffled. No one saw this coming, even Klopp.

 

[Coxy]

Think it was an outstanding performance of him. The Messi comparisons are deserved, he would have been proud of the match Salah had yesterday. Not only because of his scorers but the way he played. Had some very good dribbles (especially before one of the assists) and passes. A very, very impressive player. I remember Leverkusen were linked with him at the beginning of his career and I watched some of his videos where he already was a brillant dribbler. Hadn't heard of him again so I assumed he was one of these players who had much talent but simply lacked productivity in their solo runs. Never expected he would turn into such a player at Liverpool.

Of course career-wise, he can't be compared with both Ronaldo and Messi but right now he shows performances which are up there. Of course Ronaldo is a totally different player and Messi is a real prodigy but Salah is finally someone who at least for one season steps up to them. Think we've seen this very rarely throughout their eras, especially compared to the much broader range of their Ballon D'Or predecessors. Probably this has also do with the concentration of talent. Other potential contenders like Neymar, Iniesta, Xavi, Modric, Kroos etc. simply played with them and stood in their shadows. Salah is not and I like that.

Also I guess we are kind of spoiled by Messi and Ronaldo. Before them it wasn't uncommon that players only stepped up once they reach the 25 year mark (see someone like Zidane) and keep that level for maybe 3-4 years.

You make a good point.

 

[rotherham_red]

Where did christiano Ronaldo stand in 2009 when he followed up his 42 goal season with 26 goals?

Tbf, he was even better 2 seasons before, in 06/07 (where he had more than 20 goals and 20 assists) - he then followed that up with his 42 goal season in 07/08 and then dragged us to another title the season after - needless to say, he proved himself and then some.

 

[finneh]

To set up like Mourinho is to make concessions the majority of managers in the current game wouldn't even consider. Simeone, Benitez and a few others might do something similar, but none of them are in the CL.

Playing the open style so many teams want to these days, it's incredibly difficult to contain a player performing like Salah is as you'd need an Ashley Cole or the like to match him for both pace and agility in constant 1on1 clashes, which there are none of out there.

If you don't double or triple up on him, he's going to run rampant; if you do double or triple up on him, other parts of the team will have to compensate.. not many teams are even capable of doing that at the moment.

This is the tactical conundrum teams Liverpool face are struggling with.

No wonder the tenure of managers tends to be so short if they're too pig-headed to look to win important games, rather than setting up in a certain idealised fashion irrespective.

Don't get me wrong if you're Barcelona or City and are winning 95% of your matches a certain way then maybe there's an argument for this (although it's still stupid as City have shown 3 times in a row). However for a team like Roma going away to Anfield where they are a big underdog anyway, employing tactics that essentially treat the most in-form player in the world like he's Andros Townsend is absolute suicide.

 

[El Zoido]

If Salah was a United player and had the season he's had, we'd have had Real Madrid pulling every dirty trick this summer to turn his head. Liverpool is very beneath his ability, and he should leave asap.

Because he could never win top honours like the European Cup at Liverpool, one of the most storied clubs in world football.

 

[Rhyme Animal]

You make us sound like a Bournemouth or southampton. If a club like palace can pay benteke 100k a week liverpool can pay the odd player 300K. If liverpool wanted they could easily give him that sort of money and it would be justified

Have you not noticed what happens when Liverpool have one of the best forwards in World Football...?

You sign them. You showcase them. They leave.

That's what happens.

Genuine question - If Salah maintains this kind of form (Ronaldo, Messi etc) how long do you genuinely expect him to stay with you?

Because if he does maintain that form, he'll be being offered 450,000 a week from bigger clubs who win trophies regularly.

 

[Wengerscoat]

I find it baffling and at the same time amusing that this guy can't score against us in 180 minutes yet he's pretty much scored against everybody he has came up with. Do we have a spell on him or something?

No, because Jose was clever enough with his tactics. He shut them out and you won. But you guys have been using that negative approach against all teams like Sevilla which has been detrimental. But against top sides like Liverpool your tactics were spot on.