SALAH BOOSTS AWARD HOPES WITH GOALS

Liverpool attacker Mohamed Salah is one of the early contenders to win the FIFA Ballon d'Or award for this year after his sensational start to the season. The Egyptian senior national team skipper would be hoping to go two better than the last time after he finished third behind Paris Saint Germain (PSG) superstar Lionel Messi and Bayern Munich striker Robert Lewandowski in last year's edition of the FIFA Ballon d'Or award as revealed by the organisers last month. Poland international Lewandowski saw off Messi and Salah to win the award for the second year in a row.

Salah started this season in fantastic form and he has been able to maintain that form till date. The Egyptian had 16 goals in the Premier League and 23 goals in all competitions before he left to play for his country at the African Cup of Nations (AFCON) tournament which ended earlier this month. Salah and Egypt got to the final at the Abovementioned AFCON tournament in Cameroon before they were beaten by Senegal on penalties after they played out a goalless draw at the end of 120 minutes. As a result, Senegal won their first AFCON title, while Egypt remained the kings of the competition with seven title wins and two more than nearest challengers Cameroon.

Liverpool attacker Salah was able to boost his FIFA Ballon d'Or hopes with his exploits at the AFCON tournament on Cameroonian soil and he has been able to take it further with goals against Inter Milan and Norwich City.

Salah made his return from the AFCON tournament as a substitute against Leicester City at home in the league before he was given his first start post-AFCON during the away game against Burnley in the league. He scored his first goal post-AFCON during the 2-0 away win over Champions League round of 16 opponents Inter Milan in the first leg before he added another goal in the 3-1 comeback home victory over Norwich City last weekend.