Michael Owen has stated that Mo Salah used to be an ‘average’ finisher during his days at Chelsea, but he has now transformed in the colours of Liverpool.
The former England striker thinks Salah has the ability to now take the ‘right touch’ and pick the ‘right finish’, as he proved with his opening goal during Liverpool’s 2-1 win over Tottenham on Sunday.
Back in 2017, Liverpool signed Salah for £34 million from Roma (BBC Sport), he had previously spent two years at Chelsea, before leaving for Italy in 2016.
When Salah was in Chelsea colours, he was a slight figure, who would get the ball stuck under his feet and find it difficult to have an impact in the final third.
That’s a transformation of the player that can now dance past any defence, including the champions of England, as Owen spoke about his qualities to Premier League Productions (06/11/22 at 6:35 pm).
“It’s everything really, your first touch is everything,” said Owen. “Knowing what’s around you is one thing, then taking that touch to work that out is another thing.
“Just the choice of what to do. Some people are fixated. They already have got their finish in their mind before the ball even comes. But he has the ability in split seconds to choose the right finish, to choose the right touch, to put it in the right place and then finish as well, which marks the great ones out.
“I have said it many times on this show. He was an average finisher at the start of his career at Chelsea, at Basel, he missed so many chances. But the more and more he gets, the better and better finisher he becomes.”
CAN SALAH HIT 200?
At 30, Salah is at the peak of his powers, and even after an indifferent start this season, he has 14 goals from 20 matches in all competitions.
But can he hit 200 in Liverpool colours? He is 30 shy of hitting that mark, and he should get there by next season, whilst he is on 126 Premier League goals and will also be looking towards that 200 mark in that competition alone.
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