You’d think by now Mohamed Salah would have shut down any ‘world class’ debates, but Troy Deeney isn’t sure.
The Liverpool icon has won every trophy on offer for the Reds and sits fifth on their all-time scoring charts and eighth in the Premier League rankings.
Salah has twice finished third in the FIFA Best Award voting, and recently became the highest scoring African in Champions League history to go along with his two Premier League Golden Boots.
But for Deeney, there’s one criteria that he hasn’t fulfilled.
The Watford legend and talkSPORT pundit explained: “I think Mohamed Salah is excellent, he’s a pivotal part for Liverpool and they should never have let it [his expiring contract] get to this situation.
“But I understand that there’s a financial structure around what they want to try and keep to.
“My argument has always been that I just don’t think he’s world class.
“But world class is just a different opinion, what I think of world class is would I want my kids to play like that player? That’s what I think is world class.
“If I was asking my kids who want to be forwards, I would be saying I would like them to look at what Vinicius Jr does as opposed to Mohamed Salah.
“But his goals that he [Salah] scores, he scores an unbelievable amount of goals, he’s highly effective, but that’s just my opinion.
“He’s probably going to turn around and say, ‘Who the f*** is Troy?,’ and fair play to him, but that’s my opinion.”
While Vinicius Jr boasts more goals [12] than Salah’s tally of ten this season, it is the ex-Chelsea forward who has outscored the Brazilian in each of his eight previous campaigns.
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Despite Salah’s positive start to the 2024/25 season, there are fears from Liverpool fans that it could be his last year.
The 32-year-old is tied down at Anfield until 2025, and is free to speak to foreign clubs regarding a free transfer from January.
Salah has publicly commented on the perceived stalemate between himself and the club, saying it’s not in his hands.
Liverpool also have captain Virgil van Dijk and vice captain Trent Alexander-Arnold in the same situation.
But neither of those players will draw the same kind of attention that Salah has is in the Middle East.
The Egyptian was previously the subject of a gigantic £150million bid from Saudi giants Al-Ittihad in 2023, but Liverpool rebuffed the other.
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While there are questions marks as to whether Salah will stay or not, Deeney believes Salah will still be loved by his adoring Liverpool fans even if he makes the move to Saudi Arabia.
He explained: “He’s massive in the Middle East. He’s a huge, huge draw, but we look at it solely from a league perspective.
“But think about how many times this guy gets hammered for just posting pictures on Christmas day.
“All of that goes away and there are so many nuanced pieces to it.
“At this stage of his career I don’t think he’s going for money, I could be wrong, but I don’t think he’s going for money.
“I think he’s going where he’s motivated and going to have the best life for his wife and kids.
“Whatever he chooses to do he’s earned the right to do that, and if he decides to not play for Liverpool again, he’ll still be a Liverpool legend.”
