Former Watford captain Troy Deeney has risked the ire of Liverpool fans with his comments about Mohamed Salah’s status in football.
Deeney, who is now a pundit, believes that the Liverpool forward, who has cemented his legacy at the club with 221 goals in 366 matches and several titles to his name, as well as a spot in the top 10 highest goal scorers list in the English club football top flight, the Premier League, is not a world class player.
Deeney was speaking on the Egyptian’s contract situation at Liverpool which seems to be dragging on longer than everyone expected. The former striker believes that Salah is not a player to be chased by a club the stature of Liverpool because the Reds deserve to field only world class players.
He then went on to give his definition of what a world class and to compare Salah to a certain Real Madrid man who many agree fits every definition of a world class player by claiming that Salah had not fulfilled a criterion to be included in that discussion.
“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,” Deeney told talkSPORT. “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.”
Arne Slot has previously addressed the issue of Salah’s contract to the media earlier this month. The Reds boss told TNT Sports: “The only thing I think about is he is so important for us. Scores important goals, works hard for the team.
“I’m hoping he can enjoy that feeling many, many, many more times. Especially if I’m here but also if I’m not here. I’m hoping he can do this many more times.
“He’s been incredible for Liverpool over the past eight years. He’s been incredible for us this season and I hope he can continue doing this for the rest of the season and maybe longer to come, but that’s up to him and the club to find the idea about the future.”
