Troy Deeney: “Mo Salah is Not World-Class!” Despite Liverpool Consistency | OneFootball

Troy Deeney Weighs In on Liverpool’s Prospects and Mo Salah’s Impact

In a recent talkSPORT podcast, Troy Deeney shared his insights on Liverpool’s future under the potential new management of Arne Slot, the challenges that come with such a transition, and his opinions on Mohamed Salah’s standing in football.

Liverpool’s Leadership Change: An Insightful Perspective

Deeney highlighted the significant shift expected at Liverpool with Arne Slot taking the helm from Jurgen Klopp. He noted, “Liverpool’s a massive institution… they and the fans demand success.” The transition, according to Deeney, should not deviate drastically from Klopp’s dynamic style as it could alienate the fans quickly. Slot’s success, as marked by a “massive 75% win rate,” was a focal point, but adapting to Liverpool’s high standards and managing star players like Salah and Van Dijk will be key challenges.

Deeney on Managing Star Players

The former Watford captain spoke on the difficulties of managing high-profile players, particularly in a club as prestigious as Liverpool. He pointed out, “He’s never managed anyone who’s earned more than 50k a week… now that’s some of the youth team players at Liverpool.” This could be a potential hurdle for Slot, as managing bigger personalities and higher expectations requires a deft touch.

The Mo Salah Debate: Brilliance vs. Bottling

The podcast took an intriguing turn when the discussion shifted to Mohamed Salah. Simon Jordan’s controversial view was that Salah “can be a fair-weather player,” a point that might not sit well with all fans. Deeney himself tackled the question of Salah being overrated by stating, “I don’t think he’s overrated at all because he scores a lot of goals.” However, Deeney did acknowledge moments where Salah might appear hesitant, especially in crucial situations like the derby against Everton, suggesting a momentary reluctance to engage fully.

Evaluating Salah’s World-Class Status

The talk veered towards whether Salah holds the title of being ‘world-class.’ Deeney expressed, “I don’t think he’s world-class, I think he’s exceptionally good.” This distinction is notable, placing Salah just a tier below the elite, a stance that might stir debate among fans and pundits alike.

This episode of talkSPORT not only provided a platform for Deeney to express his well-grounded views but also sparked a broader conversation about the nuances of football management and player evaluation at the highest levels.