Michael Owen has claimed that Liverpool forward Mo Salah is ‘deceptively strong’, as he showed during his side’s 1-0 win over Manchester City on Sunday.
As soon as Alisson Becker had the ball between the palm of his hands, Salah was already on his bike and putting his foot on the accelerator.
That’s when the 30-year-old showcased his touch of class, speed and close control when he left Joao Cancelo in an absolute daze.
The Liverpool speedster left the Portugal international on his backside, ran through on goal and scored a crucial goal for his side.
That was a much-needed three points for Jurgen Klopp’s men because they were sitting in the bottom half of the Premier League table at one point.
Whilst Salah is known for his speed, close control, ball-carrying ability and deadly finishing, Owen was sure to mention a side of his game that’s not mentioned, as he told Premier League Productions.
“When the ball floats over, Salah is already on his bike thinking ‘that’s the goalkeepers that’,” said Owen. “I am going to have a counter-attack.
“Then this little part. I have said to people so often. This little fella is deceptively strong. He is strong as an ox. He shrugs off Cencelo, and then when he gets into this position (one v one), it’s not easy at all. Often you have to lift it in those one v one situations and he was unlucky with the first, but he wasn’t going to make a mistake with the second.
“That’s the mark of a goalscorer. Some people shrink. They miss a chance and they shrink. They don’t want to be there anymore. They don’t want that pressure or the groans if they miss again.
“But some go, ‘okay, I’ll miss one. Give me another one and I’ll rectify it’. And Mo Salah is one of those players.”
£34M BARGAIN
In 2017, Liverpool, then still searching for their first title in nearly three decades, knocked on Roma’s door and signed Salah for £34 million (BBC Sport).
The Egypt international was already known to English fans because he had a stint in the colours of Chelsea, which didn’t go as planned.
Rather than sulk, Salah picked himself up and returned to the Premier League, where as of today, he can rightfully put his name alongside some of Liverpool’s best-ever players.
Salah could even argue that if there is a greatest Liverpool XI, then he would line-up on that right-hand side, with the likes of Kenny Dalglish, Graeme Souness, Steven Gerrard and Alan Hansen joining him.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
