2 days ago
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Former Liverpool goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher has provided an intriguing insight into Mohamed Salah's mindset and work rate after he was dropped from the Liverpool team.
For the first time in his Anfield career, the winger was named as a substitute for two consecutive games, with Salah watching the 2-0 win over West Ham United from the bench before being introduced at half-time in Wednesday's draw with Sunderland.
It has invariably caused huge conversations about the 33-year-old's long-term role in the team, with reports now circulating that a January move to Saudi Arabia remains a possibility. Speaking on Friday, Arne Slot admitted he can understand why Salah's relegation to the bench has caused such media furore.
How the Liverpool icon reacts will be another major talking point, and Kelleher, Salah's long-time teammate, said his commitment and desire to succeed are second to none.
“In training, Mohamed Salah was bad for my confidence for the goals he would score," the Irish international said on the latest episode of Fozcast.
"He was just unbelievable. His finishing is a bit different to the usual striker, someone like Jermaine Defoe, who would be quite clinical.
"Salah’s quality is his timing of knowing when to shoot, where to place it and how to finish it – he can be quite unorthodox, but he’s an incredible man and such a humble guy, especially for someone who is such a big star.
“He’s the hardest working player, especially in the gym, he’ll be the first one in the building and it would be rare that someone would get in before him," the Brentford goalkeeper added.
After two matches on the bench, Salah could return to the team this weekend at Leeds United, although Slot was giving little away in his pre-match press conference on Friday.
"Every player is in my mind to start because we have so many good players and Mo has been such an exceptional player for us. He is always in my mind to either start or come in," said the Dutchman.
Meanwhile, Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk claimed Salah has an important role to play in the team going forward.
"We need him and he will still be important like he has been," he said after the Sunderland match.
"He is still a fantastic player. We still have to remember there is a reason why he has been so successful at the club and we have to respect that. I need him around as one of the leaders. I'm not worried."
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