Mohamed Salah proves Alan Shearer wrong after ‘defying human nature’ for Liverpool
Former Newcastle striker Alan Shearer had concerns that Mohamed Salah's contract issues at Liverpool would have a lasting effect on the Egyptian striker, yet has admitted that has not been the case
Alan Shearer has admitted that Mohamed Salah has proved him wrong after he predicted a “drop off” for the Egyptian star due to his contract wrangle with Liverpool.
Salah scored again on Sunday as Liverpool survived a tricky second-half to edge past Wolves 2-1 and maintain their seven point lead at the top of the Premier League.
The 32-year-old’s coolly converted first-half penalty took his goal tally to 28 in all competitions this season.While Salah is enjoying a vintage campaign under Arne Slot, fears that this could be his last season at Anfield due to his ongoing contract stand-off with the club forced Shearer to suggest that the behind the scenes turmoil could have a negative effect on the forward’s performances.
Speaking on The Rest is Football podcast with Gary Lineker and Micah Richards, the former Newcastle striker said it would have only been “human nature” to see Salah’s levels decrease as a consequence.
“He’s some player,” Shearer said. “I thought, and I said earlier in the season, that there might be a tiny, not a lot, but a tiny sort of drop off because of the contract situation, the worry that you haven’t got the protection, I guess, or the guarantee of that behind you going forward. But at the minute, there hasn’t been at all.
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“I thought it would have been only human nature to see a tiny, tiny drop off. But there isn’t. And I think that tells you about his mindset and how tough he is mentally.”
Meanwhile, Richards, who had encouraged Liverpool to offer Salah whatever he wants in order to keep him on Merseyside, reiterated that hopes to see the Egyptian star in the Premier League for the foreseeable future.
“When I say give him what he wants, I didn’t mean blow the wage structure to a different level,” he said. “I just mean there’s a player who doesn’t always have to play at the top of his game and he can still produce magical moments.”So, if you look at his cross for the goal from [Alexis] Mac Allister but then his goal to take it on the right foot so quickly [in the recent Merseyside derby] that’s the difference between a top level player, a world class player and Mo Salah in front of goal.
