Thierry Henry says Mohamed Salah doesn’t have anything to prove to former manager Jose Mourinho – as he backed the Liverpool winger to become a talismanic figure at Anfield.
Salah was brought to the Premier League by current Manchester United boss Mourinho in January 2014 from Basel, but he made just 19 appearances for Chelsea before leaving to join Roma permanently in 2016 after two loan spells in Italy.
Despite missing out on the Egypt international’s signature in 2014, Liverpool returned for the pacy winger in the summer and made him their club-record signing after sealing a £36.9m deal.
However, Arsenal legend Henry thinks Salah doesn’t have to show Mourinho that it was a mistake to sell him, and the Sky Sports analyst backed the African wideman to become a key player for the Reds.
“I don’t think it’s about proving Mourinho anything, but proving the Liverpool fans that you are this guy – that you can be a player like [Philippe] Coutinho,” Henry said.
“For me, he [Salah] is special, he has something special. He will be a special player for Liverpool.
“I like the fact that he is direct – we don’t have a lot of players like that in the game anymore.
“And yes, people will say sometimes that he needs four opportunities to score a goal.
“When he is able to finish all the opportunities he has then he will be more than lethal for this club.”
Salah starred for the Reds on Saturday but was unable to make the breakthrough as Mourinho’s United held on for a goalless draw at Anfield.
The Egyptian was lively throughout but it was Joel Matip who had the Reds’ best chance. The centre-back was denied by a superb save from David de Gea in the first half.
