Back in 2013, the world of football really got to know who Mohamed Salah is. Then, a 21-year-old Basel winger ridiculed Jose Mourinho and his Chelsea in two Champions League meetings. Today, he is already one of the Liverpool greats with numerous accolades and more than enough time to fill up his trophy case. The time in-between was far from smooth and his road to success was hard to predict.He is living his best football years lately and is constantly at the top of the lists for various awards and records. Latest recognition of his football grandeur came in the form of back-to-back Fans’ Footballer of the Year award in England. Reds’ star has been voted the winner for the second year running, ahead of Declan Rice in second place, which is no surprise given his performances under Jurgen Klopp throughout 2021.Klopp fumes: “My only problem is you, Mr Tierney”The Reds knew all about what Salah would become, having tracked him for a long time before but as they were making their moves to sign him back in the day, the ‘Special One’ was more successful in bringing the Egyptian to Stamford Bridge.Salah was good for FC Basel in the Swiss Super League over the course of two seasons (nine goals, seven assists) and his talent was evident, but it was his two goals in the two goals in the Champions League against Jose Mourinho’s Chelsea that pretty much showcased his future level.The Portuguese manager saw enough in those 180 minutes and asked the executives of London Blues straight away to sign him as soon as possible. In that same period, Liverpool were already trying to sign the African, several times – but Mourinho intervened, convincing the forward to make the switch to Stamford Bridge over a phone call by expressing that he needed him in his squad.Salah was brought for 14.5 million USD, but quickly realized that Chelsea was no place where he will get a proper chance to grow. With Eden Hazard, Willian, Oscar, Andre Schurrle and Juan Mata ahead of him in the pecking order, he accumulated just 534 minutes in the Premier League before transferring to Italy on loan just 12 months later.Spurs and Reds split points in an electric, intense four-goal dramaSalah steadily evolved to become the ruthless difference-maker during his time in Serie A – Liverpool never took their eyes of him and eventually brought him to Anfield four years after their first try.While the Egyptian was blossoming with Fiorentina and Roma, Liverpool’s recruitment practices had matured on Merseyside with the club refining a data-driven process under Klopp and the club’s newly-appointed sporting director, Michael Edwards. After tons of analytics, Liverpool judged him worthy of the price of 46 million USD.Following his switch in the summer of 2017, even the most optimistic of Liverpool fan couldn’t have predicted the success Salah would go on to have in the preceding four years at Anfield.”He has the perfect mix of experience and potential – this is a really exciting signing for us,” said Klopp at the time, as Salah’s name was veiled in uncertainty by the Liverpool fans.”I have followed him since he emerged at Basel and he has matured into a really good player. His pace is incredible, he gives us more attacking threat and we are already strong in this area. I like that we will make it even more competitive.”Salah: ‘I would like to stay at Liverpool, but…’As Salah instantaneously started showing his abundant talent and work rate, club legend Steven Gerrard stated – ‘We are witnessing the start of greatness’. Stevie G was far from wrong – Salah scored on his Premier League debut, then attracted more attention when three more goals arrived in his following five league appearances. By November of that year, he became the joint-second fastest player to reach 20 goals for Liverpool – 26 appearances was all it took.His incredible debut season (44 goals in 52 matches across all competitions) helped Liverpool reach their first Champions League final in 11 years.Being branded a one-season wonder right after, Salah’s hunger has fed the remarkable consistency in which he’s managed to perform at a truly elite level across the past four years.One thing about Mohamed in Liverpool – he keeps on giving, and not just in the form of goals. He is injured hardly ever and is constantly providing assists – this season already his 15 league goals are accompanied by 10 assists.Sun, 15.30: (1.15) LIVERPOOL (10.0) LEEDS (18.0)Salah’s current total of 110 Premier League goals recently overtook Didier Drogba’s title as the highest-scoring African player in English top-tier – the Ivorian scored 104 goals in his time.It should come as no surprise if the quick-footed ‘pharaoh’ collects one of the biggest individual awards in the world of football – Ballon d’Or – if he continues this way. Who knows – maybe even next year.
