Roy Keane doesn’t waste a single syllable and so when he’s waxing lyrical about any player, you best believe he’s special.
While nobody from Liverpool is under any illusions about how incredible Mohamed Salah is, it’s always nice when a rival like Keane is singing your praises.
On Sunday, Salah once again proved why he has been the best winger in the world for a number of years now.
His performance against Manchester United was utterly brilliant. From his two assists for Luis Diaz to his own goal to the way he constantly sucked United defenders to the right flank, he was borderline perfect at Old Trafford.
Roy Keane signs Salah’s praises
Speaking live on Sky Sports after full-time, Roy Keane spoke to Daniel Sturridge about the game and couldn’t refrain from waxing lyrical about Salah.
He said: “He was brilliant. Talk about a world-class performance – he’s a great example.
“I really enjoy watching him. Obviously it’s hard to take for Man United today but you’ve got to give credit where it’s due.”
Former Liverpool striker, Sturridge, was as effusive in his praise for Salah. He said: “I would be surprised [if they let him go]. Mo has achieved pretty much everything he could at the club but I’ve not seen him happier.
“The way he was speaking then was as if, ‘I want to be at the club’. If the club are going to give him what he wants then he’ll stay. I really hope he does stay because he’s been magnificent.”
Liverpool have to offer Salah a new contract, says Keane
With Salah in the final year of his contract, all the talk is about how important it is for Liverpool to extend his terms to keep him at Anfield beyond June 2025.
Keane agrees. The 53-year-old said: “He’s in control of that his contract].
“I know clubs have policies about letting players’ contracts run down when they get to 31, 32, but he’ll decide what he wants to do.
“They’ll obviously have to offer him a contract – he’s their main player. But put it this way: he will have plenty of options.”
Liverpool will suffer the wrath of supporters if they let Salah leave
FSG have done a lot of amazing work as Liverpool owners but they have also made several high-profile missteps – the Super League farce springs to mind – but letting Salah would be the most egregious judgment call yet.
32 years old or not, Salah is still one of the very best players in the world and no longer relies on pace to beat defenders. Although he is faster than probably 90% of Premier League players, the former AS Roma winger is not so reliant on his speed anymore.
He is now as adept at running in behind defences as he is running at them with the ball and should he suffer a drastic loss of pace, it wouldn’t hurt him as much as it might another player.
Salah already has three goals and three assists this season and should he end the campaign with over 30 goal contributions, it would be very difficult to understand not renewing his terms.
