Mohamed Salah Liverpool

McManaman: Salah enjoying one of the greatest debut seasons ever

Mohamed Salah is enjoying “one of the greatest debut seasons ever”, says Steve McManaman, with Liverpool’s 43-goal star claiming records and awards aplenty.

Having been snapped up from Roma for just £36.9 million ($50m) in the summer of 2017, the Reds were considered to have secured themselves quite the bargain.

Few, however, could have predicted that Salah would make quite such an impact during his maiden campaign at Anfield.

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Now the PFA Player of the Year, FWA Football of the Year, Golden Boot and Golden Shoe contender, Champions League finalist and potential Ballon d’Or winner, the 25-year-old has far exceeded all expectations.

Former Reds star McManaman told Liverpool’s official website after seeing Salah collect the Player of the Season prize at the club’s annual awards on Thursday: “[It is] one of the greatest debut seasons ever. I think everybody concurs with that.

“I don’t think we knew nine months ago, when he arrived and played his first game for Liverpool, that he’d be as successful as he has been.

“He has blown everybody away, hasn’t he?

“[It’s down to] his style of finishing, his type of finishing and his composure in front of goal.

“Personally, I’d seen him a few times so I knew he was a really good player. I thought he’d be a really good addition to Liverpool’s squad and team – but even I didn’t expect him to have the impact he’s had this year.”

Salah, who has gone three games without a goal, needs just one more effort this season to set a new Premier League high for a 38-game season.

The Reds are set to wrap up their domestic campaign with a home date against Brighton on Sunday, with Jurgen Klopp’s side requiring just a point to secure a top-four finish.

Attention will then switch to a Champions League final clash with Real Madrid on May 26 and international duty for their star turns at this summer’s World Cup in Russia.

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