I would not tell my kids to play like Salah - I don't think he is world class

Former Watford striker Troy Deeney has saluted Mohamed Salah but claimed he wouldn’t want his children to play like the Liverpool forward

Mohamed Salah of Liverpool(Image: James Gill – Danehouse/Getty Images)

Former Watford striker Troy Deeney has said Mohamed Salah is not world class and he wouldn’t want his children to play like the Liverpool forward. Salah has been in impressive form for the Reds this season and last weekend became the first player in Europe’s leading leagues to register 10 goals and 10 assists in all competitions, reaching the landmark in just 17 games.

The Egyptian’s form has helped Liverpool move five points clear at the Premier League summit, with Arne Slot’s side also top of the Champions League table and into the League Cup quarter-finals.

Having had 39 goals involvements in 44 Reds appearances last season, there was surprise among some that Salah didn’t even make the shortlist for this year’s Ballon d’Or.

And while Deeney has saluted Salah’s ongoing contribution to Liverpool and questioned the club allowing the player’s contract to move into a final 12 months, he doesn’t believe the 32-year-old belongs among the higher echelon of current players.

“I think Mohamed Salah is excellent, he’s a pivotal part for Liverpool and they should never have let it (his contract) get to this situation,” he said. “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.”

Salah at present will be able to leave Liverpool for nothing at the end of the season when his contract expires, although talks are ongoing over a new deal with the ECHO understanding the player would prefer to stay at Anfield.

And, speaking to talkSPORT, Deeney added: “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.”