The case for Mohamed Salah to win Player of the Year

Liverpool star Mohamed Salah has received a hefty amount of criticism this season from the media and fans. Yet, he has quietly managed to deliver another quality season which should earn his name in the Player of the Year conversation.

If you only looked at social media, you would think Salah is having a disastrous season. However, that is quite far from the case. The Liverpool man has been one of the more threatening forwards in the Premier League.

He leads the league in xG, is 2nd in shots, and is once again in contention for the golden boot. In all competitions, Mohamed Salah has already surpassed the 20 goal mark—becoming the Liverpool first player since Michael Owen to do so in three consecutive seasons.

The 27-year-old winger has also been prominent in the playmaking department as well. Despite complaints about his “selfishness”, Salah is actually 2nd in the team in chances created and xA— only falling behind to Trent Alexander-Arnold in both.

But if set-pieces are excluded, the Egyptian actually tops the Scouse fullback.

Similarly to recent years, Salah’s goal contributions have occurred at crucial times. In all competitions this season, the Egpytian scored or assisted the winning goal in ten matches—the most in the team.

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Once again, Salah has been integral to the success of the Reds as they approach a historic Premier League title.

Yet, despite the dazzling numbers, this season has been considered by many to be a disappointment for the Egyptian.

Of course, this is due to how high the standards are for the forward after his spectacular 2017/18 season.

But with the likes of Sadio Mane, Roberto Firmino, and Trent Alexander-Arnold all gaining influence going forward, there is simply no longer a need for Salah to put up out-worldly numbers.

After all, Liverpool are at their best when the team as a whole are clicking, not just one player.

Even though he has taken a step back in the numbers, Salah is arguably still Liverpool’s most dangerous attacker. After all, there is no other forward in all of the Premier League that can both score and create at the rate of the Egyptian.

There is a real chance that Salah will join Alan Shearer and Thierry Henry as the only players to win three consecutive golden boots—and that isn’t getting talked about enough.

It’s time that the Egyptian King once again gets the respect he deserves by entering the Player of the Year discussion.