Fernando Torres expressed admiration for Mohamed Salah after his return to Liverpool.
Participating in a legends match against Ajax last weekend, Torres lauded Salah’s performance. The Spaniard was on target for the Reds as they came from behind to beat their Dutch opponents in front of nearly 60,000 fans at Anfield.
During his time at Liverpool, Torres amassed 81 goals over four years before departing for Chelsea on the final day of the January transfer window in 2011.
At Stamford Bridge, he had the opportunity to play alongside Salah. Torres showered Salah with compliments when asked about his favourite Liverpool players after Saturday’s match.
“I remember when he came to England and he was very young and didn’t have the minutes he deserved,” said Torres while discussing Salah. “He had to move to Italy and prove himself and find a special club for a special player.
“You can see the results of what he did by himself. For me, [he is a] top player and one of the best players in the last 10 years. I always say this, [he is] my favourite player [and] I put him among the best players in the world in the last 10 years.”
Salah’s tenure at Chelsea was marked by initial struggles to make an impact, particularly under the management of Jose Mourinho, following his transfer from Basel.
This led to his loan spells at Fiorentina and subsequently Roma, where he eventually secured a permanent deal. It was during his time at Roma that Salah began to shine, swiftly establishing himself as one of Europe’s most formidable forwards.
In 2017, Liverpool offered Salah the chance to return to England, a move that has proven immensely successful. Since then, the 31-year-old has become a pivotal figure for the club, widely regarded as one of their most valuable assets.
Throughout this season, Salah’s stellar performances have seen him net an impressive tally of 21 goals across various competitions, crucially aiding Liverpool’s pursuit of multiple trophies.
Reflecting on his earlier stint at Chelsea, Salah has openly admitted the challenges he faced coping with the pressure at a young age, which ultimately led him to seek opportunities elsewhere. In his own words, he admitted:
“It was so tough for me mentally. I couldn’t handle the pressure I had from the media, coming from outside. I was not playing that much. I felt: ‘No, I need to go’.
“You have two choices: to tell the people that they are right to put you on a bench, or to prove them wrong. I needed to prove them wrong.
“The best thing you could have is a serious conversation with yourself. Just get a coffee and just sit like this and just ask yourself what you want.
“Some people can’t face themselves properly, but I have no problem with that. If I’m struggling, I just face myself and just feel where I am.”
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