Sturridge shares Ballon d’Or admission on Liverpool ace Mohamed Salah
Liverpool star Mohamed Salah is among the frontrunner for the prestigious Ballon d’Or after an outrageous season so far.
The 32-year-old has notched 30 goals and 21 assists in 38 matches in all competitions and broke numerous records in the process.
The Egyptian added another goal and assist to his tally in the 2-0 win over Manchester City becoming the first player in Premier League history to register 40+ goal involvements in two separate seasons.
He has now scored and assisted in 11 league matches which is the most in a single season in a Big Five league since Lionel Messi hit the same mark in the 2014/15 campaign.
Salah may have Ballon d’Or problem
While Salah is enjoying a sensational season, Daniel Sturridge has highlighted an issue that he may face when it comes to winning the Ballon d’Or.
| Salah stats 24/25 | Goals | Assists |
| Premier League | 25 | 16 |
| Champions League | 3 | 4 |
| EFL Cup | 2 | 1 |
Speaking on Sky Sports (23 February, 19:20 pm), he said: “If we’re not talking Ballon d’Or’s with Mohamed Salah, it is getting out of hand, we have to start putting him in that conversation now.
“I don’t even know if he has had a top-five vote or a top-three vote yet, I mean he hasn’t been on the stage.”
When asked by Jamie Carragher why the Egyptian has not finished higher in the award in the past, Sturridge said: “When you look at the history of the award, it typically goes to someone in La Liga.”
Liverpool have to keep hold of Salah
It is unthinkable that the Egyptian could leave Anfield in the summer at the peak of his powers with his contract expiring as it stands.
He is on pace to break the record for the most contributions in a single Premier League season which is currently held by Alan Shearer with 47, as he currently has 41 with 12 matches to play.
He could still be at the top for a number of years given his physical state and training regime and play until he is nearly 40 like Cristiano Ronaldo and Messi.
Liverpool surely have to come to an agreement with the former Chelsea star, even if it requires Fenway Sports Group to break their strict wage structure.
The fact that he is not playing in La Liga should not hamper his chances on this occasion, given how ridiculous his season has been.
He is the clear frontrunner for the Ballon d’Or with the likes of Kylian Mbappe and Raphinha lagging far behind so surely he cannot be allowed to leave on a free transfer.