LONDON: Mohamed Salah’s super season continued after he was named Arab Player of the Year for 2017 in a poll of around 100 sports journalists from across the Middle East.
The midfielder is enjoying his best-ever season having lit up the Premier League since his $48 million transfer to Liverpool last summer.
Salah, 25, has been an instant success at Anfiled since joining from AS Roma, scoring 17 goals in the Premier League already and 23 in all competitions. No Reds player has scored more goals before the new year than Salah, who equalled Roger Hunt’s record of 23 from 1961-62 with a brace against Leicester City on Saturday.
“The record is remarkable and the goals themselves are remarkable as well,” Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp said.
Not only has he shone on the club stage but the forward has also starred for Egypt as they made it to the World Cup for the first time since 1990.
Salah was the driving force behind the The Pharaohs’ march to Russia, a star turn encapsulated in his last-minute penalty winner against the Congo in October which secured qualification.
Syrian winger Omar Khribin, who plays for Riyad giants Al-Hilal, came second and another Syrian, Omar Al-Soma, who plays for Saudi Arabia’s Al-Ahli, was third.
Salah is also favorite to win the African Player of the Year title which will be announced in the Ghanaian capital Accra on Thursday.
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp confirmed he will show respect by allowing Salah and Sadio Mane to attend the awards ceremony, just 24 hours before the FA Cup third round tie with Everton at Anfield.
"Yes, they will go. We have everything organised. We have two of the three best African players in our squad. We have to show them respect," said the German.
"If it had been a matchday they wouldn't have asked, but the night before is fine. We sleep in a hotel, they sleep in a plane. That is all the difference, the modern world.
"If Mo is not fit, it will not be for that. For our side, it is just a sign of respect.