"I am totally surprised" - Michael Owen on Mohamed Salah's rise

Pundit Michael Owen has recently been talking about Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah.

The Egyptian international signed for the Reds from Roma for a transfer fee of £37.80 million back in the summer of 2017.

Since then, Salah has scored 158 goals and registered 64 assists in 256 appearances for Liverpool's first-team.

The winger is also showing no signs of slowing down. Salah averaged a WhoScored player rating of 7.54 across 35 Premier League fixtures last campaign.

However, Owen did not think that the 30-year-old would reach the aforementioned heights.

“Not anymore (on being surprised by Salah),” he told DAZN (04:20). “But I think you would be a liar if anyone said they expected 40+ goals in his first season.

“Partly because we had seen him at Chelsea. He certainly didn’t look like a goalscorer there. He started to look like a goalscorer in Rome.

“But to come and score 40+ in your first season, and then continually do it, I am totally surprised.

“I always thought (goalscoring) was instinctive and it’s a natural born thing, whether you are a good finisher or you are not. And I do think, to a certain extent (it is instinctive), with certain runs.

“But I have watched him now and thought ‘you can improve as a finisher’. He’s mastered some finishes as well. His improvement has staggered me and most of the footballing world. If he continues this level for a few more years, we will be talking about one of the greatest of all time.”

Anfield Watch Verdict

We can see where Owen is coming from. In Salah's final season at Roma, he found the back of the net 19 times in 41 appearances for the Serie A side.

So, Salah's rise has been extraordinary. Hopefully the winger can continue his good form in the years to come.

Salah is contracted until the summer of 2025. Therefore, he won't be going anywhere for at least a few more years.