Rio Ferdinand calls out three pundits for ‘disrespect’ to Liverpool ace Mohamed Salah

Mohamed Salah has been backed by former Manchester United captain Rio Ferdinand amid suggestions he is coming to the end of his spell at the top level. Liverpool ace Salah ended his difficult run in front of goal to score his side’s opener in victory over Tottenham on Sunday.

The Egyptian had been left on the bench a week earlier in the draw with West Ham, before a defeat to Jürgen Klopp fueled speculation over his future at Anfield. Salah is out of contract in 2025 and is likely to be the subject of renewed interest from Saudi Pro League clubs this summer.

However, Ferdinand jumped to his defense and called out a number of experts, including former Reds player and manager Graeme Souness, for their comments about the Reds talisman.

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Souness had told the William Hill podcast Three Up Front: “I think he’s leaving Liverpool. Salah is the most selfish player I have ever witnessed. Even before that game (against West Ham), whenever Klopp takes him, he’s never happy about it

“When the going gets tough and another player puts it on him, Salah will disappear from a game. He will never be hurt.”

TalkSPORT pundit Simon Jordan then suggested Salah was overrated, while former Premier League striker Troy Deeney claims he is not world class. But Ferdinand is having none of it.

“I can say something about Mo Salah. I think he’s been disrespectful recently,’ Ferdinand told Vibe With Five. “I saw a lot of comments about him, I saw people talking about him, beating him.

“I saw Graeme Souness, Troy Deeney and Simon Jordan, I couldn’t believe the disrespect I was seeing for him, I couldn’t believe it, they were talking about him like he was any guy.

“I don’t know how you can debate whether Mo Salah was world class at any point in his Liverpool career, even question it. I don’t care, he’s crazy. He’s won trophies, he’s the player who decides games for them consistently and he’s done it at the highest level.

“Maybe he’s gone this season, but in his glory years at Liverpool, absolutely world class. They will sit there and say, ‘Harry Kane has been world class over the years’. Salah’s numbers will be similar to Kane’s for the last six or seven years, but he’s won things. He won a league, the Champions League, trophies all over the place while he was doing it.”

Liverpool.com says: All Liverpool fans know that criticism of Salah has been far from over. Yes, his form has dipped slightly since the injury, but he has still scored 25 goals this season. He still has a lot to offer and that is why Liverpool plan to keep him. It’s refreshing to hear a former United player throw his support behind the Egyptian.