‘Unfair and unrealistic’: Liverpool star slams critics of teammate with ‘computer game’ stats

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Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson believes the expectations being placed on Mo Salah from outside Anfield are “unfair and unrealistic”, speaking to the Premier League champions’ official website.

When the Egyptian King thumped home a stunning left-foot volley in the recent 2-2 Merseyside derby draw with Everton, his place in the Liverpool history books was secured for life.

Only two players in the club’s long and illustrious history have reached 100 goals quicker in their Liverpool careers than Salah.

One, the legendary Roger Hunt, brought his Anfield career to an end in 1970. The other, Jack Parkinson, scored for fun in that famous red shirt well before the First World War.

Even Ian Rush, Fernando Torres, Robbie Fowler and Michael Owen failed to reach centurion status faster than a man who, for whatever reason, continues to be underrated and undervalued elsewhere in the UK.

Perhaps that has something to do with the fact Salah hasn’t come close to matching that tally of 44 from his remarkable debut campaign in 2017/18. At least, that’s Henderson’s theory.

“It’s possible that the numbers he hit in his first season with us – 40-plus goals – means everything else since has been measured by an unfair and unrealistic yardstick,” says the skipper of a man who found the net 27 and 23 times in the last two campaigns.

“I read that Mo got to this milestone in the third-quickest time in LFC history. The other two Liverpool players who got to a century quicker are Roger Hunt and Jack Parkinson – and we are going back quite a long time. It just emphasises the enormity of his contribution.

“Mo’s numbers are jaw-dropping. He’s achieved his century in just 159 appearances – that is computer game stuff!”

Sadio Mane might be the main man at Liverpool these days but, inside the Anfield dressing room, you won’t find a player or coach who undervalues Salah’s contribution to the cause.