Salah suffered a shoulder injury in Liverpool’s defeat to Real Madrid in the Champions League final last month and is in a race to be fit for the start of Egypt’s World Cup campaign.
Coutinho, meanwhile, is set to play an integral role in Brazil’s tournament following a season in which he sealed his move from Liverpool to Barcelona.
Coutinho played alongside Salah at Liverpool before his departure and the Brazil midfielder believes his former Anfield teammate has what it takes to outshine Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.
‘It feels like the right moment for someone to take their chance at this World Cup,’ said Coutinho.
‘Messi and Ronaldo have been up there on their own for so many years. I think it may be time for other players to aspire to be the best in the world – and the best at this World Cup, too.
‘For me, Salah and Neymar have serious chances to do that.
‘It depends on how the tournament goes, of course, but they have the talent to do it. Those are the players I would pick out.
‘Watching Mo Salah since then has been amazing.
‘He is going to be a player who will be a big hero at Liverpool for a long time, I am totally convinced of that.
‘He can do well in the World Cup, too – it all depends on how far his team can go. But we also know what Neymar can bring. He is a special player.’
