Mohamed Salah has put himself forward as the best player in his position in the world - but Kylian Mbappe may have a thing or two to say about that.
The Egyptian forward has deservedly entered the discussion for the world’s best player, full stop, thanks to a series of stunning seasons under the guidance of Jurgen Klopp.
The Reds boss previously stated that Salah had alleviated himself over the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi, the winners of 12 of the last 13 Ballon d’Or awards. "He is top. We all see it," Klopp said back in September.
"Who is better than him? We don't have to talk about what Messi and Ronaldo have done for world football and their dominance. But right now, he is the best."
Salah’s record since moving to Anfield in 2017 is an astonishing one, scoring 155 goals and registering 63 assists in just 251 appearances. And it’s that five-year sample size which Salah believes puts him a level above the competition when it comes to players in his own position.
"If you compare me with any player in my position, not only in my team but in the world, you will find that I am the best,” he said. “I always focus on my work and do my best and my numbers are the best proof of my words.
"I like to always create a new challenge for me, to work in a different way and to make a difference and that is my duty.”
But if there is one player who can rival his unerring record, it is another mercurial forward in the midst of contract negotiations. Mbappe, a World Cup winner at just 19, has continued to go from strength to strength at Paris Saint-Germain.
In five seasons at the Parc des Princes he has hit 30 or more goals in all but one and has already reached that tally during this campaign. And with the exception of their first season at their respective clubs, Mbappe has outscored Salah each year.
Now there is the obvious caveat that scoring goals in the Premier League is a substantially taller task than scoring for PSG in Ligue 1, but the fact remains that Mbappe’s numbers do stand up and then some.
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His stats in the Champions League are also comparable to his more experienced counterpart, having netted 33 times in 55 matches in Europe’s top competition. And on the verge of a move to Real Madrid, the 23-year-old has made no secret of his desire to be recognised as the best player on the planet.
"The first collective goal is to win the biggest trophies," Mbappe told French broadcaster TF1. "But the Ballon d'Or is a goal for any player who aspires to be the best. And I am one of them. But it's too presumptuous to talk about it."
There is a valid argument for Salah to be rated as the world’s best wide forward, but Mbappe’s numbers do match up favourably and with an impending move to LaLiga, his credentials could be pushed even further.
