Graeme Souness: Mohamed Salah doesn't always feature in the big games, but he's still in my all-time Liverpool XI
Mohamed Salah would overtake a host of Liverpool legends to take his place in the Reds' all-time greatest XI.
That is the opinion of Liverpool legend Graeme Souness who praised the forward, but not before asking him to explain.
The Egyptian opened his account of the season with a fine goal in Liverpool's 2-0 win at Ipswich.
It was Salah's ninth goal of Matchday 1, putting him top of the list of all-time Premier League goals in the opening round of matches.
And his performance will undoubtedly have pleased the new boss. Arne's Slot who became the first Liverpool manager to win his first game as sole manager since Souness in 1991.
Liverpool fans will be hoping the bad omens don't come true, as Liverpool finished sixth that season under the legendary Scot.
Salah's goals will be key to Liverpool's success this season as they face domestic and European commitments.
Souness says that while the 32-year-old has been “class” since arriving at Anfield in 2017, he has not always been up to par when Liverpool have needed him most.
“Is he going to go to war for you when things get tough and you have to turn up when it really matters? I think he can be accused of not doing that,” Souness told talkSPORT.
“But while I was saying that I was joking around a bit with a friend of mine texting about the best Liverpool team of all time.
“I would have to put three players back to bring him, but I have him in my best team.
“If you look at some of the players who have played for Liverpool, his stats suggest he is a class player, he has to be in my best team.”
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Salah is in the final year of his current contract at Anfield and interest from Saudi Arabia remains present.
His goal at Portman Road marked his 212th for the club and the Egyptian captain currently has just eight months to add to his ever-growing tally.
Slot has been quick to see Salah's value to his side and despite entering the latter stages of his career, Salah has returned to the club refreshed and fit, according to teammate Andy Robertson.
“Every year he comes back in better shape than the season before,” said the Liverpool and Scotland star. “He was one of the players who had a longer summer, which was very beneficial for him. He managed to do a full pre-season and he looks fit and in good shape.”
“He was excellent, especially in the second half when he took us over the line,” he said of Salah's performance against Ipswich.
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“Mo takes exceptional care of his body. He is a model professional and someone everyone looks up to. He leaves no stone unturned and that is why he is still in such incredible shape.
“I hope this continues. If our main player plays like this, it will help the team.”
