Rio Ferdinand TAKES AIM at fellow pundits over Mohamed Salah criticism

Rio Ferdinand has leapt to the defence of Mohamed Salah, who has faced relentless criticism over the past number of weeks. 

Since returning from a hamstring injury, the 31-year-old hasn’t looked himself, but got on the scoresheet during Liverpool’s 4-2 Premier League win against Tottenham on Sunday. 

Despite his difficulties, Salah remains the Reds’ top goalscorer this season, adding 25 in total, including 18 in the Premier League. 

However, given that he hasn’t been at his brilliant best it’s been suggested by some pundits that Salah might well have passed his peak. 

And with interest from Al-Ittihad in Saudi Arabia, there is even the suggestion that the Anfield side should cash in. 

The recent spat between Salah and Jurgen Klopp on the sidelines against West Ham added more fuel to the flames, with the former Crystal Palace owner Simon Jordan describing the Egyptian as ‘fair weather’ and Graeme Souness calling him 'the most selfish player' ever. 

In recent days, ex-Red Danny Murphy has urged Liverpool to consider any firm offers they receive for Salah this summer. 

With a contract expiring in 2025, incoming sporting director Richard Hughes will have a decision to make over his £350,000 per week front man. 

However, former Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand believes Salah has been ‘disrespected’ in recent discussions, describing his Liverpool career as ‘world class’.

Rio 'couldn't believe the disrespect' towards Salah

“Can I just say something about Mo Salah,” Ferdinand told his Vibe With Five YouTube show. “I think he’s been disrespected recently.

“I’ve seen a lot of comments about him, I’ve seen people talking about him, caning him. 

“I don’t think there’s been a debate that Mo Salah has been world class for a number of years. Maybe this season he’s tailed off but in his pomp years at Liverpool, absolutely world class. 

“Real Madrid only win that Champions League final [in 2018] because he came off injured. Up until that moment he came off injured Liverpool were on the front foot, as soon as he came off everything changed. 

“His numbers are flipping off the charts, I don’t understand it, it’s unbelievable. Mo Salah I think has been so disrespected. 

“I saw Graeme Souness, Troy Deeney and Simon Jordan on their new podcast, 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 think he’s been absolutely world class, you can’t do those numbers. They’ll sit there and say, ‘Harry Kane’s world class over the years’. Mo Salah’s numbers will be similar around Harry Kane over the last six or seven years but Mo Salah has been winning things, he’s won a league, Champions League, trophies across the board while doing that. 

“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.”