Liverpool legend makes 'sensational' Mohamed Salah claim amid contract impasse

'That's a sign' - Liverpool legend makes 'sensational' Mohamed Salah claim amid contract impasse

"Superstar" Mohamed Salah is saluted for his Liverpool longevity and for not letting his output dip during his contract impasse

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"Superstar" Mohamed Salah has been saluted for his Liverpool longevity by Didi Hamann, with the 2005 Champions League winner saying: "He looks as good as he's ever been". And ex-Germany international Hamann, who made close to 300 appearances during his time at Anfield, praised Salah for not allowing his performances to drop during his contract impasse.

Salah, who can speak to clubs outside of England about a pre-contract agreement in January, has scored 12 goals and has 10 assists for Arne Slot's side this term, helping them to both the top of the Premier League and the Champions League.

Hamann said it should not be surprising how the Egypt captain has performed given his history with the Reds but he still admits to being taken aback by the consistency and the quality of the performances of Liverpool's No.11.

Hamann told Genting Casino: "The player who's probably surprised me the most, which shouldn't be surprising at all, is Mo Salah. When a forward player gets past 30, 31 or 32, that is like being 36 for a central midfielder.

"If you lose half a yard (of pace), you need to find different ways to get your shots off and get your chances. I wasn't sure whether Salah was still capable of doing it, but he does it week in, week out and it's been absolutely phenomenal what he has done again this season.

"He would have been at the club for eight years at the end of the season. I don’t think he’s missed more than 10 games in that period with injury, which is unheard of because everything he does is high intensity. It might be the most obvious answer, but I'd probably say Salah has been the star of the season so far.

"For me, he looks as good as he's ever been this season. That's a sign of a superstar, because in the last one or two years there had been some criticism and people questioned whether he was still capable of doing it, and there's always been the rumours that he wants to go to Saudi.

"A new manager went into the club and everybody, even Salah, had to prove themselves. I think he had a bit of credit in the bank because of what he has done in the last few years. The way he has come back this season, the last year of his contract, it has been absolutely sensational."

Another of Hamann's former clubs, Manchester City, travel to Anfield this weekend with the leaders having the chance to go 11 points clear of the defending champions at the summit of the Premier League.

He adds: "Well, it's probably a bit early to write off City. How many games have they played? 12? We haven't even played a third of the season, but Liverpool are certainly in the position that their title rivals would want to be in at the moment.

"Liverpool are in a fantastic position, but the thing is, when you play a game and you're winning 2-0 or 2-1, you can defend the lead, and you can’t do that in the league table because you still have to win games.

"They've got a healthy cushion now. In the remaining games, they probably still need another 55 or 60 points. Having said that, they do look very good, very efficient. They win games without being brilliant, which is always a sign of a good team.

"The other thing is, if Liverpool’s rivals want to close a gap of eight and nine points, you've got to be able to win four, five, six, seven on the spin. I don't think City's capable of doing that this season, but Arsenal might be.

"Liverpool are in a very strong position, but as you say, it's a long way to go. I said a few weeks ago, I expected a two-horse race between Liverpool and City this season. Arsenal had everything going their way in the last two seasons.

"They played out of their skin, and they still couldn't get the job done. So, I don't really see them doing it this season either. I still think that City is the most likely team to catch Liverpool."

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