Mohamed Salah LiverpoolGetty Images

Salah has Liverpool's rivals running scared - Gomez

Mohamed Salah’s form for Liverpool has Premier League opponents “scared”, says Joe Gomez, with “everyone wary” of the Egyptian forward.

The former Chelsea man was returned to English football in the summer of 2017, with Jurgen Klopp convincing the Anfield board to part with a club-record transfer fee.

An immediate return has been offered on a £36.9 million investment, with Salah having plundered 24 goals in 30 appearances.

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Widespread praise has rained down on the talented 25-year-old, with Gomez of the opinion that his Reds team-mate now boasts the kind of fear factor associated with the very best in the business.

The Liverpool defender told the club’s official website of Salah: “Even when the out ball isn’t on, it’s not on because they’re scared of him doing it so then it creates more space into feet.

“He has built a reputation that everyone is wary of. They know if they give him a few yards it’s going to give them a problem.

“It’s a massive bonus for us – and it has showed with some of the counter-attacks we have scored from this season. It’s another side to the game that can help us be a better team.”

It is not just on the field that Salah has been making a positive impression on Merseyside either, with a seamless transition from Roma to Liverpool having helped him to become a talismanic presence.

Gomez added: “He has definitely brought his persona into the team.

“He’s always in a good mood and he has always got a good energy about him.

“He is just a happy person and he’s nice to be around. If someone can be that nice to be around, on and off the pitch, it’s going to make the whole place a better place to be.

“He genuinely enjoys football and he can’t stop scoring.”

Liverpool will be hoping to see Salah among the goals again on Saturday when they welcome Premier League rivals West Brom to Anfield for an FA Cup fourth round encounter.

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