Former Egyptian coach Bob Bradley has revealed the piece of advice he thinks has helped develop the game played by Liverpool striker Mohamed Salah and has brought him to a world-class level.
Between 2011 and 2013, the 62-year-old took over Egypt, during which time Salah was a young star breaking into the team, even playing domestically at Al Mokawloon.
He transferred with Basel from there to Switzerland, before spells with Chelsea, Fiorentina, and Roma. Since moving to Liverpool in 2017, the 27-year-old has caught the eye, but scoring 70 goals in 100 appearances in the Premier League, helping the club join the 2019 Champions League and pushing them to the brink of a first domestic league title in a generation.
Bradley believes that asking Salah to imitate Barcelona’s Lionel Messi, a six-time Ballon d’Or winner, was the secret to much of his subsequent success when he was still refining his game.
“Salah has improved considerably since I left the Egyptian NT, he’s a great player. I advised him to keep a close eye on Messi, so he could improve his performance and he took my advice. I tried to change his position back then, to play deep as a striker, because he has the speed. He is now one of the world’s best actors,” the American told Egyptian television channel Sada El Balad.
After an unscheduled break in the season due to the coronavirus pandemic, Salah and his Liverpool teammates are preparing to return to action in mid-June.
Jurgen Klopp ‘s side only needs six points to secure a first crown of the Premier League era with their challenge starting again on June 21 against Stanley Park rivals Everton. They go to Manchester City in a clash between the top two after hosting Crystal Palace three days later with the Reds already hoping to lift the lead by that point.
Salah has contributed 16 goals and six assists in 26 league appearances this season, while he finished in the Champions League with four goals and two decisive passes, a competition in which Liverpool’s defense was brought to a premature end when they lost out to Atletico Madrid at home after extra time.
