Oxlade-Chamberlain Reveals What Makes Salah Special

Celtic midfielder Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain has paid glowing tribute to Mohamed Salah, describing the Liverpool forward’s professionalism and mentality as what sets him apart from other players.

Salah, who will leave Liverpool this summer after nine years at Anfield, was hailed by his former teammate in an interview with The Mixer.

Oxlade-Chamberlain admitted he was surprised by the Egyptian’s decision to move on, saying: ‘I was a bit shocked because he is the type of guy that you just think will never stop. What Mo has achieved there at Liverpool is unprecedented. It is surreal to think that he’s gone to heights that are just astronomical. It’s Ronaldo-type numbers.’

Reflecting on Salah’s journey, Oxlade-Chamberlain noted the setbacks before his rise at Liverpool.

‘He’d gone to Chelsea, it didn’t quite work out. He’d gone to Italy and then he comes to Liverpool and he just turned into an animal. For our team he was just incredible. He’s one of those players… he could have a terrible game and score two goals and win you the game. That’s special.’

He highlighted Salah’s elite mindset as the foundation of his consistency.

‘If he was having a good game or a bad game, he had a mentality that was just elite, doesn’t get too high, doesn’t get too low, always ready in the moment. That is the only way you can produce what he produces, not to mention that he lives and breathes the game.’

Oxlade-Chamberlain also revealed the extent of Salah’s dedication off the pitch.

‘In terms of professionals, I have never seen anyone do what Mo does every hour of the day. He comes off the pitch, he’s installed ice baths, cryo chambers, red light therapy in his house. He definitely doesn’t play golf or anything in his free time. He ain’t got time for anything else.’

Recalling their time together at Liverpool, he added: ‘The number of times before training I’d get up for a coffee, I’m seeing Mo running through a tunnel with his hat on, like Rocky. He’s the first in the gym, then he trains how he trains, then he’s in the gym again doing treatment, therapy, another session. It is an obsession. You’ve got to give someone like that credit.’