'Mohamed Salah is not world class': Premier League pundit makes controversial call on Liverpool forward despite blistering start to the season

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 5: Arne Slot Manager of Liverpool congratulates Mohamed Salah of Liverpool after the 4-0 victory during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Phase MD4 match between Liverpool FC and Bayer 04 Leverkusen at Anfield on November 5, 2024 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Crystal Pix/MB Media/Getty Images)
Mohamed Salah and his Liverpool manager Arne Slot (Image credit: Getty Images)

Mohamed Salah may now be 32, but the Liverpool forward is showing no signs of slowing down - in fact, he looks revitalised under new manager Arne Slot.

With 10 goals and 10 assists in just 17 games in all competitions at the start of the 2024/25, Salah is currently on top form - so much so, that FourFourTwo ranked him as the best right winger the world right now.

Now into his eighth season at Anfield, Salah has won the Premier League Golden Boot on three occasions, twice been named the PFA Player of the Year and has finished fifth in the Ballon d'Or on multiple occasions. That hasn't stopped one Premier League pundit from suggesting that Salah isn't world class, however.

Mohamed Salah labelled 'not world-class'

Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah playing in the Premier League at Anfield against Aston Villa

Salah has been starring for Liverpool this season (Image credit: Getty Images)

According to ex-Watford striker Troy Deeney, Salah's ability is undoubted but his playing style is not as easy-on-the-eye as some of the world's best other forwards.

"My argument has always been that I just don’t think he’s world class," Deeney said on Talksport. "But world class is just a different opinion, what I think of world class is would I want my kids to play like that player? That's what I think is world class.

Watford captain Troy Deeney is fit and ready to feature against Leicester as he says Mohamed Salah at Liverpool isn't world class

Deeney used to play for Watford, but is now a Premier League pundit

“If I was asking my kids who want to be forwards, I would be saying I would like them to look at what Vinicius Jr does as opposed to Mohamed Salah.

"His goals that he [Salah] scores, he scores an unbelievable amount of goals, he's highly effective, but that’s just my opinion. He's probably going to turn around and say, 'Who the f*** is Troy?,' and fair play to him, but that's my opinion."

Though Salah has started the new season exceptionally, there are still question marks over his future. Now into the final year of his contract, the Egyptian could depart the club in the summer for free.

Liverpool fans are confident that he'll put pen to paper on a new deal, but wages could prove a sticking point and he's freee to speak to clubs outside of England from January.

Ryan Dabbs
Staff writer

Ryan is a staff writer for FourFourTwo, joining the team full-time in October 2022. He first joined Future in December 2020, working across FourFourTwo, Golf Monthly, Rugby World and Advnture's websites, before eventually earning himself a position with FourFourTwo permanently. After graduating from Cardiff University with a degree in Journalism and Communications, Ryan earned a NCTJ qualification to further develop as a writer while a Trainee News Writer at Future. 

Read more
Mohamed Salah of Liverpool celebrates scoring his team's second goal from the penalty-spot during the Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Wolverhampton Wanderers FC at Anfield on February 16, 2025 in Liverpool, England.
‘He’ll still be playing at 40 at a good level because he’s in such good shape and looks after himself so well. He does everything to be a top professional’: Ex-Liverpool coach insists Mohamed Salah has plenty more miles in the tank
Mohamed Salah is still yet to reveal whether he will stay with Liverpool beyond this season
Liverpool’s contract talks with Mohamed Salah clarified: report
 Mohamed Salah of Liverpool reacts during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Phase MD7 match between Liverpool FC and LOSC Lille at Anfield on January 21, 2025 in Liverpool, England
Mo Salah should be slowing down but he's getting better
Arne Slot Manager of Liverpool celebrates with Mohamed Salah during the Premier League match between AFC Bournemouth and Liverpool FC at Vitality Stadium on February 01, 2025 in Bournemouth, England.
'I can actually assure you Mohamed Salah has been offered a contract! I'd also be looking at them like, why haven’t you signed? The team is made for them, where are they gonna go?': Liverpool icon shares view on star's situation
Arne Slot Manager of Liverpool celebrates with Mohamed Salah during the Premier League match between AFC Bournemouth and Liverpool FC at Vitality Stadium on February 01, 2025 in Bournemouth, England.
'You realise it's stupid we are even having a conversation about him potentially leaving the club - he was excellent against Bournemouth' Mohamed Salah's Liverpool future back under the microscope following 'stupidity' comments of him leaving
Mohamed Salah of Liverpool celebrating after scoring the second goal against Bologna in the Champions League.
Liverpool report: Club chief drops Mohamed Salah exit tease, with picture emerging of possible next destination
Latest in Stories
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola is expected to sanction plenty of sales this summer
When does the summer transfer window open?
Manchester United defender Raphael Varane.
'I won the World Cup and I said to myself, I've done it all, I need to keep feeling emotions': Raphael Varane opens up on why he had to leave 'indescribable' Real Madrid for Manchester United
Arne Slot and Mikel Arteta could both do with improving their respective attacks this summer
Arsenal to make bold move for Liverpool star with uncertain Anfield future: report
LONDON, ENGLAND - MARCH 21: Phil Foden of England reacts during the FIFA World Cup 2026 European Qualifier between England and Albania at Wembley Stadium on March 21, 2025 in London, England. (Photo by Eddie Keogh - The FA/The FA via Getty Images)
'When I see Phil Foden play, he just seems like a shy lad - that holds him back a little bit. He has been tried in every position, but he just hasn’t performed': Ex-England star makes bold claim about Manchester City man
Arsenal's William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes embrace each other in celebration at full-time of the Premier League match against Wolverhampton Wanderers at Molineux on 25 January, 2025
Arsenal face losing Gabriel AND William Saliba, as new fears arise: report
Kevin De Bruyne of Man City in action during the Premier League match between Manchester City FC and Ipswich Town FC at Etihad Stadium on August 24, 2024 in Manchester, England.
Kevin De Bruyne touted for shock move to South American giants: report
Latest in News
Manchester United defender Raphael Varane.
'I won the World Cup and I said to myself, I've done it all, I need to keep feeling emotions': Raphael Varane opens up on why he had to leave 'indescribable' Real Madrid for Manchester United
Arne Slot and Mikel Arteta could both do with improving their respective attacks this summer
Arsenal to make bold move for Liverpool star with uncertain Anfield future: report
LONDON, ENGLAND - MARCH 21: Phil Foden of England reacts during the FIFA World Cup 2026 European Qualifier between England and Albania at Wembley Stadium on March 21, 2025 in London, England. (Photo by Eddie Keogh - The FA/The FA via Getty Images)
'When I see Phil Foden play, he just seems like a shy lad - that holds him back a little bit. He has been tried in every position, but he just hasn’t performed': Ex-England star makes bold claim about Manchester City man
Arsenal's William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes embrace each other in celebration at full-time of the Premier League match against Wolverhampton Wanderers at Molineux on 25 January, 2025
Arsenal face losing Gabriel AND William Saliba, as new fears arise: report
Kevin De Bruyne of Man City in action during the Premier League match between Manchester City FC and Ipswich Town FC at Etihad Stadium on August 24, 2024 in Manchester, England.
Kevin De Bruyne touted for shock move to South American giants: report
LEVERKUSEN, GERMANY - MAY 18: Jose Mourinho, Head Coach of AS Roma, celebrates after the UEFA Europa League semi-final second leg match between Bayer 04 Leverkusen and AS Roma at BayArena on May 18, 2023 in Leverkusen, Germany. (Photo by Lars Baron/Getty Images)
Jose Mourinho planning Premier League raid for superstar: report