FBL-ENG-PR-LIVERPOOL-SOUTHAMPTON
Liverpool icon Ian Rush heaped praise on Mohamed Salah and has backed the Egyptian to succeed Trent Alexander-Arnold in a new role for the Reds.
WHAT HAPPENED?
Iconic former Liverpool striker Rush was lavish in his praise for Salah, labelling him an "inspiration" for the young players at the club and backing him to fulfill a new role next season, formerly held by Alexander-Arnold, who joined Real Madrid.
Preston North End v Liverpool - Pre-Season Friendly
THE BIGGER PICTURE
Joining Liverpool in 2017, Salah has become one of the greatest players to ever grace Anfield. The 33-year-old is currently the third-highest goal scorer of the club, helping the Reds win two league titles and one Champions League among other domestic honours since arriving from Roma. Last season, Alexander-Arnold served as the team's vice-captain, with Virgil van Dijk wearing the armband. However, Rush, Liverpool's all-time top scorer, is confident of Salah filling the void by become Van Dijk's new deputy.
WHAT IAN RUSH SAID
Speaking to Liverpool Echo, Rush said: "Without doubt [Salah remains integral], I was really made up when he signed the new contract. The first half of last season, you know, he was incredible, and in the second half it was probably more about his assists. He is changing his game now to do that.
"What I like about him now, ever since he was injured when he did the shoulder (in 2018), you look at his physique and he is not going to get injured again.
"His determination to be successful is there and when you speak to him, he is looking to learn and most probably the best part about him now is he is helping the younger ones as well.
"[He tells them] 'If you want to be doing that, you need to be doing this'. So he is an inspiration to the younger players to tell them if you want to achieve what Mo Salah has achieved, this is what you have to be doing.
"You have to work hard in training, you have to do that and maybe sometimes that goes unnoticed about such a great job that he has done.
"That is why I am happy he has signed for two years and looking at his performances, I look at the [ages] of 28 and 29 and you work on your weaknesses and over the age of 30 you are taught to work on your strengths. And I think that is what Mo is doing and, as I say, it goes unnoticed about the work he helps the younger ones off the pitch.
"One hundred percent [he should be vice captain] and he captained them against Preston didn't he? I think Van Dijk is doing what Van Dijk does, he is incredible and he leads them there."
Preston North End v Liverpool - Pre-Season Friendly
WHAT NEXT FOR MOHAMED SALAH?
Salah has arrived without any problems for the pre-season, playing the first half against AC Milan on Saturday. He is expected to feature in Liverpool's next game, scheduled to be played on July 30 in Yokohama.
[(Gangwon FC) Strength]: 1. Last season in the Korean FA Cup, Gangwon FC were eliminated in the Round of 16. This season, the team have made a breakthrough so far and have advanced to the semi-finals. In this second leg, they will play at home and have a strong desire to win.2. Lee Ji Ho, a forward of Gangwon FC, has had limited playing time this season. However, he has maintained high offensive e...
[(Everton F.C.) Strength]: 1. On August 24th, in the 2nd round of the Premier League, Everton F.C. secured a comfortable 2-0 home victory over Brighton & Hove Albion F.C., with Jack Grealish providing two assists and putting in an impressive performance.2. Everton F.C. kept unbeaten in the last 3 Premier League home games with 2 wins and 1 draw, showing excellent performances.3. Everton F.C. h...
[(Nagoya Grampus) Strength]: 1. Nagoya Grampus are on a 2-game losing streak. They are motivated to win this home game to boost their morale.2. Soichiro Mori scored a goal and made an assist in the last game, showing outstanding form.3. Nagoya Grampus secured a 3-game winning streak in their last 3 encounters between both sides, giving them a better mentality.[(Nagoya Grampus) Neutral]: 1. Nagoya ...
[(Grimsby Town F.C.) Strength]: 1. Grimsby Town F.C. player Jaze Kabia scored in the last game, with reliable form.2. Grimsby Town F.C. drew 1-1 against Accrington Stanley in the last game, but they still kept unbeaten among all events in the new season, being in stable form.3. Grimsby Town F.C.'s home performance was outstanding. They won all the last 3 home games.4. Grimsby Town F.C. have a good...
[(FC Machida Zelvia) Strength]: 1. FC Machida Zelvia are undoubtedly motivated to win this home game to qualify for the semi-finals.2. Yuki Soma scored 10 goals and made 6 assists across all competitions this season, being important on the team's offense.3. FC Machida Zelvia drew 0-0 with Yokohama F. Marinos in the last game. They were unbeaten with 11 wins and 1 draw in the last 12 games, showing...
[(Reading F.C.) Strength]: 1. Reading F.C. are playing in the EFL League One this season and are on a 3-game winless run lately. They need to return to winning ways, indicating full motivation in this game.2. Lewis Wing scored a goal and made an assist in the last game, helping the team tie with Wycombe Wanderers F.C.3. Reading F.C. won the last 2 games in AH, revealing recent performances in line...
[(Sheffield Wed) Strength]: 1. Sheffield Wed have a rather impressive track record in the EFL Cup. In the first round of this season, they defeated Bolton Wanderers F.C., another team from the EFL Championship, and have posted 3 wins and 2 draws in their last 5 EFL Cup games.2. Sheffield Wed lost only 1 of the last 5 games in AH with stable performances. They ended all the last 4 games with OVER.[...
[(Eintracht Braunschweig) Strength]: 1. As a 2. Bundesliga side, Eintracht Braunschweig have made a solid start to the new season. Having been eliminated in the first round of the DFB-Pokal in each of the past two seasons, the team will undoubtedly be eager to achieve a better performance when they compete in the tournament again this season. Therefore, they will be full of determination when faci...
[(Sturm Graz) Strength]: 1. Sturm Graz suffered a crushing defeat in the first leg on the road. In this home match, they have to go all out to attack, with full motivation to win.2. Sturm Graz midfielder Otar Kiteishvili scored 4 goals in three league games this season, performing excellently in the league. As the starting forward of the team, his performance in this match is worth keeping an eye ...
[(Burnley) Strength]: 1. Burnley's key midfielder Josh Cullen not only opened the scoring for the team in the last game but also provided an assist, emerging as the biggest contributor to the victory with an outstanding individual performance.2. Burnley claimed a comfortable 2-0 win over Sunderland in their last game, securing their first victory of the new Premier League season and boosting the t...
- 1 Ruben Amorim gives cryptic response when asked about Andre Onana returning to starting XI for Fulham clash after Altay Bayindir blunder handed Arsenal victory
- 2 'Victory Bodes Well for Future' – Gasperini Delighted with Roma’s Opening Day Win
- 3 TIPS - Eintracht Frankfurt VS Werder Bremen
- 4 Transfer rumors, news: Arsenal could turn to Lyon's Fofana
- 5 Antony’s Man United Exit Hopes Rest on Fresh Real Betis Bid Within 'Next 24 Hours'
- 6 TIPS - Cerezo Osaka VS Vissel Kobe
- 7 TIPS - Gamba Osaka VS Yokohama FC
- 8 TIPS - Schalke 04 VS VfL Bochum
- 9 TIPS - Sunderland A.F.C. VS Huddersfield Town A.F.C.
- 10 TIPS - Olympique de Marseille VS Paris FC