Rio Ferdinand calls out three pundits for 'disrespect' towards Liverpool ace Mohamed Salah
Mohamed Salah has been backed by ex-Manchester United captain Rio Ferdinand amid suggestions he is coming to the end of his time at the top level. Liverpool ace Salah ended his difficult run in front of goal by scoring his side's opener in the win over Tottenham on Sunday.
The Egyptian had been dropped to the bench a week earlier in the draw with West Ham before a touchline bust-up with Jürgen Klopp fueled speculation over his future at Anfield. Salah is out of contract in 2025 and is likely to be the subject of fresh interest from Saudi Pro League clubs this summer.
Yet Ferdinand has leapt to his defense and called out a number of pundits, including ex-Reds player and manager Graeme Souness, for their comments on the Reds talisman.
READ MORE: Darwin Núñez poses with Barcelona ace amid transfer speculation after Liverpool social media purge
READ MORE: Premier League rival trying to 'beat' Liverpool in $33M transfer race for Brazilian wonderkid
Souness had told the William Hill podcast, Three Up Front: "I believe he is leaving Liverpool. Salah is the most selfish player I have ever witnessed. Even prior to that game (vs West Ham), whenever Klopp takes him off, he is never happy about it
“When the going gets tough and another player puts it on him, Salah will disappear from a game. He’ll never get himself hurt."
TalkSPORT pundit Simon Jordan then suggested Salah was overrated, while ex-Premier League striker Troy Deeney claims he is not world-class. But Ferdinand is having none of it.
“Can I just say something about Mo Salah. I think he’s been disrespected recently,’ Ferdinand said on Vibe With Five. "I’ve seen a lot of comments about him, I’ve seen people talking about him, caning him.
“I saw Graeme Souness, Troy Deeney and Simon Jordan, I couldn’t believe the disrespect I was seeing about him, I couldn’t believe it, they were talking about him like he’s just any guy.
“I don’t know how you can debate if Mo Salah has been world class at any point in his career at Liverpool, it’s off the scale to even question him. I don’t care, it’s mad. He’s won trophies, he’s the player who decides games for them consistently and he has done it at the top level.
“Maybe this season he’s tailed off but in his pomp years at Liverpool, absolutely world class. They’ll sit there and say, ‘Harry Kane has been world class over the years’. Salah’s numbers will be similar to Kane over the last six or seven years but he has been winning things. He has won a league, Champions League, trophies across the board while doing that.”
Liverpool.com says: Any Liverpool fans know the criticism of Salah has been way off the mark. Yes, his form has dipped slightly since his injury but he has still scored 25 goals this season. He still has plenty to offer and that is why Liverpool is planning to keep him. It is refreshing to hear an ex-United player to throw their support behind the Egyptian.