Former Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand has criticised talkSPORT pundits Graeme Souness, Troy Deeney and Simon Jordan for their treatment of Liverpool forward Mo Salah.

The Egyptian international’s form has been questioned over the past few months but, speaking on Vibe with FIVE, Ferdinand said the player’s trophy haul should silence their doubters, especially when comparing his medal collection to the likes of Harry Kane:

“Mo Salah, I think has been so disrespected. I saw Graeme Souness, Troy Deeney and Simon Jordan, I couldn’t believe the disrespect I was seeing about him, I couldn’t believe it, they were talking about him like he’s just any guy.”

“I think he’s been absolutely world-class, you can’t do those numbers. They’ll sit there and say, ‘Harry Kane’s world-class over the years’. Mo Salah’s numbers will be similar around Harry Kane over the last six or seven years but Mo Salah has been winning things, he’s won a league, Champions League, trophies across the board while doing that.”

“I don’t know how you can debate if Mo Salah has been world-class at any point in his career at Liverpool, it’s off the scale to even question him, I don’t care, it’s mad, he’s won trophies, he’s the player who decides games for them consistently and he has done it at the top level.”

Salah’s numbers this season

When you look at the 31-year-old’s goalscoring record since the beginning of the campaign, you do have to wonder what the fuss is all about.

25 goals and 15 assists in 42 appearances is not a bad return whatsoever. There has, admittedly, been a drop in Salah‘s form since his return from the African Cup of Nations, and that probably has fed the debate about the winger playing poorly, but he certainly hasn’t become a bad player overnight.

Will the Egyptian king leave Liverpool?

While there continues to be speculation about a potential switch to Saudi Arabia, respected journalists have reported that the player is likely to remain at Anfield beyond the summer.

However, it is still not certain whether Salah will sign a new contract or if he will be allowed to leave on a free transfer next year.