'Selfish': Liverpool players used to think £34m man was such a self-centred player – journalist

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Mohamed Salah is a bona fide Liverpool legend.

The Egyptian has scored more Premier League goals for Liverpool than any other player, and he's won all there is to win at Anfield.

Salah is one of the most beloved players to ever put on a red shirt, but there was a time when he was viewed rather differently internally.

Indeed, according to Simon Hughes, speaking on The Athletic FC Podcast, Liverpool players used to think that Salah was actually quite a selfish player.

Hughes has just written a book about Salah's time at Liverpool, and the journalist says that his teammates did used to think the £34m attacker was selfish.

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Mohamed Salah was considered selfish

Hughes shared what he'd heard about Salah and his early years at Anfield.

Salah was described as selfish during his first few years at Liverpool.

Sadio Mane had an issue with Salah's selfishness at one point, but, in recent years, Salah has become much more team-focused.

"Well, I think, you know, certainly in the early years of Salah, he was judged on his goal scoring and maybe sometimes described as a slightly selfish player. Maybe there was some truth in that. You know, I think some of his one thing I did learn, you know, like writing this book, there were some of his teammates that sort of felt that about him," Hughes said.

But I think this is where his intelligence comes in, that every smart footballer realises if I’m going to stay relevant, I have to be useful in some way, you know. So, just being judged on your goals might not be enough. I would argue his understanding of the role, you know, a left footed player off the right, knowing which positions to pick up so he can get involved in those moments, whether it’s a pass or a shot."

Mohamed Salah's assist stats for Liverpool

Salah was seen as a selfish player during his first few years at Liverpool, and the stats did seem to back that up a bit.

Indeed, Salah did have a couple of seasons where his assist stats were lacklustre, but, in recent years, there has been a steady uptick on that front.

Salah is less selfish these days, often putting the team before his own personal gain.

Of course, Salah is still scoring goals at a ridiculous rate, but now, he's also assisting almost just as much.

This just goes to show what an incredible footballer Salah is. He arrived in the Premier League with Liverpool as an out-and-out goalscorer, but now, he's a potent attacking threat both in terms of finishing and creating.

Salah is a one of a kind player in terms of what he brings to this Liverpool team, and that's why the Reds simply have to renew his contract.