It's hard to name a better player in world football right now than Mohamed Salah. The Liverpool superstar is at the very top of his game.

Not only does he lead the Premier League's goalscoring charts with 18 in 19 matches, two above Manchester City's Erling Haaland, he also tops the assists rankings, too, with 13, some three clear of Arsenal's Bukayo Saka.

The brilliance of Salah has long been established. Since signing for Liverpool, he has won every major club trophy there is to win and his exploits in front of goal means he is now the club's all-time fourth highest scorer, with 232 in 376 appearances.

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He also sits level with Arsenal legend Thierry Henry in seventh with 175 goals in the all-time Premier League top scorers list.

But there is an argument to suggest that Salah, at the age of 32, is playing the best football of his career. He might not be quite as devastating as he was in his first season at Anfield, but he is now without doubt a more rounded player.

So what is fuelling this otherworldly form? The chance to add another Premier League title to his collection but this time in front of supporters? Or is it the fact that this will be his last campaign with the Reds unless a new contract is agreed?

But perhaps it's another reason.

Chess.

"I think so," said Salah in an interview with Viaplay (via Firstpost) when asked if the sport makes him a better footballer. "It takes your mind away from football.

"I like to watch it, and I like to play. For me it helps."

In the same interview the Egyptian expressed his admiration for chess world number one Magnus Carlsen. "I like him (Carlsen) a lot," said Salah. "I like the way he plays. The best endgame player ever."

And that respect is reciprocated with Carlsen recently expressing his admiration for Salah - who previously said he was 'addicted' to chess' - on an episode of the Men in Blazers podcast released last week.

"The funny thing is that his evolution in his Liverpool career has been quite remarkable," Carlsen said.

“From being kind of a speedster when he got there, to now be incredibly smart with his runs and passes and everything he does on the field.

“Does it have a connection with the fact that he started to play a lot of chess? I am not sure. Do I rule it out? No!”

Carlsen has previously played Salah's Liverpool team-mate Trent Alexander-Arnold, who is another chess advocate. The Norwegian won in 17 moves and five minutes.