MOHAMED SALAH IS capable of becoming a Liverpool legend, says Robbie Fowler, but he will only enjoy such a standing if he remains at Anfield for several years.
The Egyptian forward is into his second season on Merseyside, having taken in a remarkable first.
Countless individual prizes were collected during the 2017-18 campaign as a £36.9 million bargain delivered 44 goals across all competitions.
Salah has continued to sparkle this term, as the records tumble around him, and is already a firm favourite with the Liverpool faithful.
The 26-year-old has, however, been told by a man fondly known as ‘God’ by Reds fans that, like Luis Suarez before him, he will need to stick around in order to become a true icon.
Former Liverpool striker Fowler told The Mirror:
“I’m not shy in saying that I believe if Mo Salah stays with the club long term, then he has already shown the qualities to suggest he has a real shot of joining those ranks of the true legends.
“I’ve played with the best at Liverpool, the likes of [Ian] Rush and [John] Barnes, [Steven] Gerrard and [Steve] McManaman, so I reckon I know a thing or two about what it takes. Salah has similar qualities, no doubt.
“You saw this last season and you’ve seen it again this time around. Napoli was a brilliant example where he was the difference. So often he scores the first goal in a tight game, or the winning goal. It’s not a coincidence.
“People have asked what he is… but he is just a real player.”
Fowler added: “Salah has shown already that he’s not a one-season wonder. But I’m something of a stickler for longevity when it comes to greatness.
“People go on about Luis Suarez, and no doubt he was a top player for the club, but one of their all-time best? Not a chance — because he was only there for three and a bit seasons.
It also leaves a bad taste in the mouth the way he left the club, by so obviously engineering a move, not once but twice.
“I don’t think he qualifies at all.
Which is my way of saying Salah has to stay for a lot longer and keep producing the form and goals he’s got so far, if he is ever going to be considered on a par with the likes of Rushie [Ian Rush], who for me is the best striker of them all.
“I’m not even going to remotely compare him to Rush or the others in the top six goal-scorers. Why? Not because I don’t rate him, but because I’m waiting. For at least another five years, I reckon.
“He’s already got almost 60 goals for Liverpool and there’s a good chance he’ll go past Suarez and Fernando Torres this season on the all-time list. Those two got 82 and 81 respectively, and that’s not enough in terms of years or numbers.”
Salah has managed 57 Liverpool goals in just 76 appearances, but that return leaves him some way short of matching Fowler’s haul of 183.
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Those days are gone. Players do not aim to be club legends anymore. Its about the individual.
The word according to God. 57 in 76 game’s is some doing. An absolute sensational footballer, who can achieve everything with Liverpool. Club is on a huge trajectory. Anything is possible.
@Marty Morrisey: He might have to take the route Suarez/Sterling took to achieve real success.
@irishoverseas: Possibly. Then again, you know them Bloody Scousers, Tra La La La La. One thing for sure they’d certainly never achieve it under Olé the Managerial Genius and Micky The Managerial Genius. Both specialists in relegation.
@Marty Morrisey: 24 hours in the job and has equal amount of trophies won as klopp in 3 years after spending half a billion.
@irishoverseas: you’re right,if Liverpool don’t win anything this season Man City could take Salah to replace aguero
@John Connolly: only IF he wants to leave, and IF he wants to go to City, and IF they’re willing to pay the huge transfer fee. Lots of ifs. And why is Aguero being replaced?
@The Bloody Nine: since the start of the season he’s gotten a lot of injuries,he’s not getting any younger,coutinho left for the same reason,to win trophies
@John Connolly: That turned out well for him.
@Marty Morrisey: He has won three trophies at Barcelona
@Marty Morrisey: yes very well. This is how deluded Liverpool fans are thinking they have being more successful than Barcelona since he moved.
@John Connolly: Marty knows nothing about football. He’s not even a Liverpool fan, just a sad troll.
@The Bloody Nine: there’s always one clown on here,well 5 clowns if you add in all his accounts
What if he wins PL & champions league this year as a top scorer? I’d say he could be a club legend then!!! These are comments put out there trying to hold onto players but they don’t have any real loyalty to clubs anymore