LIVERPOOL: Mohamed Salah has been urged to stay at Anfield by his teammate Alisson.
The Egyptian forward struck twice as the Reds won their Merseyside neighbors’ clash with Everton on Saturday.
The goal made Salah the first English Premier League player to score 30 goals in 2023.
Salah now overtakes Steven Gerrard and Kenny Dalglish in the list of all-time top scorers at Anfield.
However, his future at Anfield continues to be questionable after Saudi Pro League club Al-Ittihad were interested in signing him since last summer’s transfer window.
Liverpool rejected Al-Ittihad’s bid and managed to keep Salah at Anfield this season.
According to Alisson, Salah needs to stay as long as possible with Liverpool after the striker once again showed his sharpness in front of goal.
“This player is amazing. I’m happy he’s in our team. I hope he can break all the records while wearing our red jersey,” said Alisson.
LONDON: Cristiano Ronaldo has emerged as the world’s highest-paid footballer in 2023, earning more than the likes of Lionel Messi and Neymar in the past 12 months, according to Forbes.
Ronaldo, who is also listed by Forbes as the highest paid athlete in any sport, tops the list with an expected total income of US$260 million.
The Portuguese striker’s contract with the Saudi Arabian club, Al-Nassr, which he joined from Manchester United last January, is reported to be worth US$200 million while his endorsement portfolio including Nike and Jacob & Co is estimated to be worth US$60 million each year, according to Forbes.
Messi ranked second on the list with an expected total income of US$135 million, boosted by his move to Major League Soccer (MLS) club Inter Miami.
Messi is the first MLS player to appear in the top 10 since David Beckham in 2012.
Brazilian forward Neymar completed the top three with a total income of US$112 million after signing a contract with Al-Hilal in the Saudi Pro League last August.
The influence of the Saudi Pro League is clearly seen in the Forbes list with four players (Ronaldo, Neymar, Karim Benzema and Sadio Mane) in the world’s top 11 list.
According to Forbes, the combined earnings of four Saudi Pro League players accounted for more than half of the US$995 million earned collectively by all 11 players on the richest list.
Kylian Mbappe is next, behind his former Paris Saint-Germain teammate Neymar, with a total income of US$110 million.
Manchester City’s Erling Haaland is the highest-paid English Premier League player with a higher total annual income than Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah and team-mate Kevin De Bruyne.
According to Forbes, on-field earnings figures include all prize money, salaries and bonuses earned in the past 12 months while off-field earnings are estimated sponsorship deals, appearance fees, licensing income and cash returns from businesses operated.
MANCHESTER: Erik ten Hag says he understands the derision of Manchester United fans after the club recorded their worst start to a season in 34 years.
The 1-0 defeat to Crystal Palace at Old Trafford was their fourth in seven Premier League games this season – equaling the embarrassing record in 1989 that almost got Alex Ferguson sacked.
“I understand. We are playing at home and against Crystal Palace – we have to win.
“I realize every Premier League game is difficult. You have to put on your best performance and I understand the fans want that.
“It was a bad start and we have to bounce back. We have to do better. This is still not enough,” said the Dutch manager.
After league wins over Burnley and Palace in the League Cup on Tuesday, United look on the best footing to put their poor start to the season behind them.
However, Joachim Andersen’s 28th minute goal was enough to give victory to Roy Hodgson’s squad at Old Trafford.
Hodgson became the second manager after Pep Guardiola to win three Premier League games in a row at Old Trafford.
“It’s my favorite result at the moment, but there will probably be others. Credit to the players, especially after Tuesday’s disappointing night,” said Hodgson.