Men's Player of the Year nominee: the case for Salah
Monday, August 20, 2018
Article summary
After an incredible debut season at Liverpool, Mohamed Salah is up for the 2017/18 UEFA Men's Player of the Year award.
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Mohamed Salah is in the final three-man shortlist for the 2017/18 UEFA Men's Player of the Year award – just how sensational was he last season?
Season in numbers
Honours: UEFA Champions League runner-up
UEFA Champions League
Appearances: 13 (excludes play-offs)
Goals: 10
Assists: 5
Domestic league
Appearances: 36
Goals: 32
UEFA.com reporter's view: Matt Howarth, Liverpool
Had Salah not suffered a shoulder injury 25 minutes into Liverpool's final loss to Real Madrid, the UEFA Champions League trophy may have ended up at Anfield. The forward's contribution to a memorable Reds campaign cannot be overstated: Salah's 44 goals were just three shy of Ian Rush's club-record seasonal haul, including 11 in the UEFA Champions League.
In Jürgen Klopp's relentless outfit, the 26-year-old has found an ideal environment to showcase his raw pace, quick feet and preternatural finishing abilities. Unfortunately for Liverpool's opponents, you get the feeling there is more to come from their 'Egyptian King'.
Top three moments
1. The opener in Liverpool's 5-2 semi-final first-leg victory over Roma, a majestic finish that almost lifted the roof off Anfield.
2. The equaliser against Manchester City in the quarter-final second leg, beating three defenders to a loose ball before scoring with a delicate chip.
3. On the last day of the domestic season, Salah took his top-flight tally to 32 – a record for a 38-game Premier League campaign, surpassing Luis Suárez, Cristiano Ronaldo and Alan Shearer's totals.
What they say
"I read and hear about him being a wonderful role model for Egypt, north Africa, for the wider Arabic world and for Muslims. But he is a role model full stop. The only labels we should put on Mo is what a good person he is and what a fantastic footballer he is."
Liverpool manager Jürgen Klopp
"He's a great player and I hope he can carry on like that – for us and for him. He really deserves it because he works really hard and he's been helping me and the rest of the team with his goals and his magic on the pitch."
Liverpool striker Roberto Firmino
"I think we expected him to be good, but I think he's gone above and beyond that. He keeps improving, he keeps getting better and better with each game. His goal tally speaks for itself."
Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson
