When the Saudis reached out to Liverpool for Mohamed Salah earlier this year, many were sure they won’t come back empty-handed. Saudi Pro League club Al-Ittihad were ready to shell out to the tune of £150m to have the 31-year-old forward on board. This move on the Saudi’s part was inevitable. Besides being a great footballer, the Egyptian had many cultural similarities belonging to a region that’s just two-three hours’ flight away from the kingdom. Needless to say, his being a follower of Islam also helped a little just like Karim Benzema. But Salah was different in that he grew up and learnt his football in North Africa. Benzema, on the other hand, played all his football in France. Basically, Salah would have been a greater catch to inspire Middle Eastern youth than anyone else, including Neymar and Cristiano Ronaldo, both past their prime. But Liverpool and Salah rejected the offer.
Many were surprised after the offer rejection. Salah was not getting any younger. When your glory is on the wane, it’s advisable to join the Saudi league nowadays and make loads of money. But that was what most thought. As far as Salah was concerned, he knew there was a lot more competitive football left in him. He knew that not many players from his region get to build the kind of legacy he had in the Premier League since moving to Anfield from AS Roma in 2017. And he could further strengthen his legacy. The Saudis could wait!
At this stage of the 2023-24 Premier League season, Salah has exactly gone on to do that. On Saturday, Liverpool moved to the top of the table with a comeback win against Crystal Palace. Salah scored the equaliser as well as provided the assist for the winner as the Merseyside club left Arsenal behind into second place. The Gunners later lost to Aston Villa. On 37 points after 16 matches, Liverpool will back themselves to win the Premier League.
This season Salah looks at the top of his game. With 11 goals, he is second in the goal-scoring list behind Erling Haaland. Besides he has provided 7 assists
