Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah has shared the words of wisdom imparted to him by Arsenal icon Arsene Wenger.
In what is shaping up to be a memorable season for the Reds, Salah’s contributions have been instrumental in propelling Arne Slot’s team towards Premier League glory. He contributed a goal and an assist as Liverpool secured a 2-0 victory over Manchester City at the Etihad on Sunday.
The win, coupled with Arsenal’s 1-0 loss to West Ham United the previous day, has placed the Merseyside outfit top of the Premier League table by 11 points with 11 matches remaining. However, in an intriguing revelation, the star forward has credited former Gunners’ manager Wenger with elevating his game to new heights.
During an interview with TNT Sports, Salah was asked by pundit and ex-Red Steve McManaman whether the difference between good and great players lies in scoring crucial goals. “I think so,” Salah said.
“I think I got that advice from Arsene Wenger in the past. I asked him the same question actually because he had great players in his career.
“He told me: ‘The great players, it does not matter how he performs in the game. He always stays focused and waits for the moment. He’s always in the game’. And I put that into consideration a few years ago.
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“Players’ emotions go up and down, [but] I don’t want my emotions to be like this. I just try to be stable and understand that not every game you’re going to have your best game. If you stay focussed, maybe you will have one chance.”
The Liverpool star also shed light on his mental approach when dealing with Premier League defenders, revealing that he chooses not to engage with their attempts to unsettle him.
“If some of them [opposing defenders] try to trash talk, I don’t like to engage. I tell them: ‘I don’t need much, I just need one chance, just one chance, and you will pay for it’.”
Salah, affectionately known as the ‘Egyptian King’ among Liverpool fans, has contributed an impressive 30 goals and 21 assists across all competitions this season. Despite being 15 goals short of his record haul in his debut season, the 32-year-old believes this campaign represents his best since joining the Reds.
“I think it is my best season,” he said. “I think this is my best season because I make the players around me better as well, that is what I feel.”
His outstanding displays have thrust him into contention for the 2025 Ballon d’Or, with Wenger advocating for his inclusion. During half-time of Liverpool’s clash with City, the Frenchman expressed his admiration for Salah on beIN Sports.
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“This guy is exceptional and, what I love the most in his career, he became better and better every year, more clinical. He does less quantity today but he doesn’t lose in quality and that shows that he’s not only a great talent but very intelligent,” Wenger said.
Despite the accolades, the ex-Roma ace is solely focused on Liverpool’s ambitions for silverware this term. “Let’s win the Premier League and the Champions League, and we will see. The Ballon d’Or, everybody knows sometimes there is [other] stuff involved there.”
The future of Liverpool’s No. 11 at Anfield beyond this year is uncertain, with his contract set to run out at the end of June and no new deal agreed upon so far. Nonetheless, Salah will be back in action on Wednesday evening when the Reds welcome Newcastle United to Anfield in the Premier League for an 8.15pm. Arsenal will travel to Nottingham Forest with kick-off set for 7.30pm.
