- Mohamed Salah reflects on spell with Chelsea in 2014
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Mohamed Salah admits his desire to play for Liverpool dates back to his stint at Chelsea in 2014.
The Egyptian, speaking in an insightful interview with Liverpoolfc.com’s James Carroll, has revealed his experience stepping out at Anfield as the root of his dream to play for the Reds at some point in his career.
Salah fulfilled that ambition in the summer, arriving from Roma as the club’s marquee signing with a point to prove in English football.
The red shirt could have been his a lot earlier had Liverpool not lost out to Chelsea in the race to acquire Salah’s services three years ago. Even if that had been the case, though, the 25-year-old is unsure as to whether he would have been the success he is now at such an early stage in his career.
“There was interest from Liverpool when I went to Chelsea, but I think if I’d come at that time maybe things wouldn’t have maybe have gone as well then as they have for me now. Who knows? But I went to Chelsea and everything worked out how it did and now I am here at Liverpool at the right time,” he told Liverpoolfc.com’s Carroll.
“When I go somewhere, I am always telling myself ‘I have to learn from here’ – and I know, 100 per cent, I learned a lot from Chelsea; I learned how to be more professional and to become a better person and player.”
“It was while I was at Chelsea that I first got to play at Anfield. I can remember I told myself – as I said on my very first day here – ‘I have to come here one day and play’ after I’d experienced that atmosphere.”
“That atmosphere was unbelievable, really. I was very happy to play here against Liverpool – and now I am even happier to play for Liverpool here”
Not only has Salah diminished doubts following his return to England, but he has comfortably exceeded expectations by cruising to 20 goals in his 26 games for the club.
In doing so, he has asserted himself as the Premier League’s current top scorer as well as a perfect fit to Jurgen Klopp’s counterattacking setup.
His difficult time at Stamford Bridge has undoubtedly served as a springboard to his remarkable upward trajectory since reigniting his career in Italy.
A once inconsistent and tentative young man lacking self-belief has evolved into one of Europe’s most exciting attacking talents, starring domestically and in the Champions League.
He has been a revelation, and marks yet another inspired signing that the club’s scouts deserve enormous credit for pinpointing.