Simon Mignolet: Salah has exceeded expectations at Anfield

by Phumzile Ngcatshe

Tuesday Dec 19, 2017. 16:30

Liverpool goalkeeper Simon Mignolet has expressed shock regarding his teammate Mohamed Salah’s goal-scoring prowess.

Mignolet has praised the Egyptian international after his superb start with the Reds, stating that he has exceeded expectations at Anfield.

After scoring against Bournemouth on Sunday, Salah became the first Liverpool player to score 20 goals before Christmas since Ian Rush in 1986.

The 29-year-old net minder believes Salah learned from his disappointing stint at Chelsea in 2014, and that he regained his confidence and developed during his time at the Serie A with AS Roma.

“He doesn’t think about anything else other than his job and that is very important because, at the same time, he is scoring goals and can be the superstar but he is also working very hard to get back and defend,” Mignolet said.

“We need that from our wingers because of the way we play and he does that. He is also one who isn’t going to get carried away which is important in this situation.

“He knew what the Premier League was about from his time here before. He then learned and progressed away in Italy. He came back and he knew what it was about.

“He is very strong, not only with the speed he has got, but he is so strong on his feet you can’t run him over. He suits the English style of play, so let’s keep him fit and hope he can score the goals he is doing at the moment.”

Salah’s impressive performances with both club and country earned him the 2017 BBC African Player of the Year award earlier this month and has been shortlisted for the CAF Player of the Year Award.