'Best player in the world' - Ex-Everton man's high praise for Liverpool star

Newcastle winger and former Everton star Anthony Gordon has heaped praise on Liverpool's Mohamed Salah, even calling the forward 'the best player in the world'.

22-year-old Gordon was on the books at Liverpool as a child, before moving to the Toffees after being released by the Reds.

The England Under-21 star made his breakthrough for the blue half of Merseyside during the 2019/20 season and earned a big-money move to Newcastle in January of last year.

Due to his prior affiliations to Everton and having been dropped by the Reds, you might expect there to be little love lost between Gordon and Liverpool. However, the forward still has an admiration for one Red, at least.

Speaking to former Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand on TNT Sports' YouTube channel ahead of Newcastle's game against Aston Villa, Gordon revealed how he takes inspiration from Salah — who he named as the best in the world.

"I watch Salah a lot," Gordon explained.

"Numbers-wise, the positions he takes up, the runs in behind

—

 he’s unbelievable. He’s probably the best player in the world for me because he has so much impact on the game."

Salah is, of course, the joint-top Premier League goalscorer (14) and assist maker (8) in 2023/24 and is on course for one of his best-ever seasons, despite speculation around his future at Anfield.

The 31-year-old, however, is unlikely to feature again for the Reds until mid-February after suffering a hamstring injury during the Africa Cup of Nations with Egypt earlier this month.

When pushed on his No. 11's possinle comeback timeline, Jurgen Klopp told reporters:

When pushed for a specific return date, the German added: "He's not ready for this game [against Chelsea], not ready for the next game [against Arsenal]… and then not.

"He's injured. I'm not sure if there was a misunderstanding in the beginning. He's injured, and a muscle injury takes time."