Danny Murphy believes Mohamed Salah is unlikely to surpass Steven Gerrard’s standing as Liverpool’s greatest Premier League-era legend – and expects the Egyptian’s time at Anfield to be nearing its end.
The former Liverpool and England midfielder says Gerrard’s unique status as a homegrown captain who carried the club through its most difficult modern period ensures his place at the very top of the Reds’ hierarchy, regardless of Salah’s extraordinary individual achievements.
Murphy also feels this season is shaping up to be Salah’s last in a Liverpool shirt, despite the forward being under contract, following a turbulent campaign both on and off the pitch.
Gerrard a ‘Scouser through and through’
Speaking exclusively to BestBettingSites.co.uk, Murphy said Gerrard’s legacy remains untouchable in the eyes of supporters.
“I think Stevie will always be thought of more fondly,” Murphy explained. “Mainly because he’s one of their own – a Scouser through and through – and he dragged the team through a very difficult period more or less on his own.
“Whereas Salah did have the help of [Sadio] Mane, [Roberto] Firmino and others during that successful period.”
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Salah legacy intact
While Murphy insists Salah’s recent frustrations and public outbursts will not tarnish his overall legacy, he believes the comparison with Gerrard ultimately falls in the former captain’s favour.
“I don’t think this particular outburst, or some of his selfishness over the last year or 18 months, will damage his legacy,” he said.
“He’ll still be loved and adored by millions of Liverpool fans across the planet because of what he’s contributed over a long period of time.
“The biggest compliment you can pay Mo Salah is that when you talk about the greatest ever Liverpool teams, he’s in the conversation. That puts him in a very elite group of players.”
However, Murphy added: “In terms of the comparison with Stevie, you’re talking about a Scouser captain at his club, playing there his whole career and dragging Liverpool through so many moments to get silverware, to create memories and history for the club – which Mo hasn’t quite achieved in the same way in the biggest finals.”
Murphy also cast doubt over Salah’s future under current head coach Arne Slot, suggesting a managerial change would be the only realistic route to extending the forward’s stay.
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Last season at Anfield?
“Is this Mo Salah’s last season at Anfield? I think so, yeah,” Murphy said.
“I know he’s contracted longer, but with what’s gone on, how the team’s performed and how he’s performed, it would surprise most people if he stayed for another year.
“The only caveat would be if a new manager came in and really wanted to build a team around him and try to get one more year out of him.”
Despite a partial reconciliation following Salah’s return from AFCON, Murphy feels the dynamic between player and club has shifted.
“It seems that although he’s played since he came back, things maybe aren’t the same as before,” he added.
“As you get older, you struggle to come to terms with not being as important, not playing every game and every minute.
“Even though what he’s done before is phenomenal, I think it would be a surprise if he’s still wearing a Liverpool shirt at the beginning of next season.”
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