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Manchester United legend Rio Ferdinand has named Liverpool attacker Mohamed Salah as a likely Ballon d'Or winner in 2025. The Egyptian has been one of the form players for the Reds this season.
Salah, 32, has been at Anfield since arriving from AS Roma in the summer of 2017. Currently in the last six months of his deal, the diminutive attacker has been a solid performer for the Reds over the years, a trend that has continued this campaign.
He has registered 20 goals and 17 assists in 26 games across competitions. That includes 17 goals and 13 assists in 18 games in the Premier League, where the Reds are eight points clear at the top with a game in hand. Salah's other goal contributions have come in the UEFA Champions League - two goals and four assists in six games - and a goal in two outings in the EFL Cup.
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In a video tweeted by Football on TNT Sports, Ferdinand made a few predictions, one of which was about the 2025 Ballon d'Or winner. The Englishman said about Salah:
"He's got a chance."
Considering Salah and the Reds' super start to the season, it won't be a surprise if the Egyptian bags the coveted individual honour for the first time this year.
What's next for Liverpool?
Liverpool have had a superb start to life under new boss Arne Slot, who succeeded the legendary Jurgen Klopp last summer. Exceeding expectations, the former Feyenoord tactician has seen his new team lose just once in 27 games across competitons.
That lone defeat - a 1-0 home loss to Nottingham Forest on matchday four in the Premier League - seems like eons ago. Since then, the Reds are undefeated in 20 games across competitions, winning 17.
Their last game was a 5-0 league win at West Ham United in their last match of 2024. They return to action this weekend - on Sunday (January 5) - against struggling Manchester United at home in the league.
Slot's side are looking to win their first top-flight title since their maiden triumph in the Premier League era under Klopp in 2020. The Reds are also going strong in the UEFA Champions League, where they are the only side to win their opening six games in the 36-team field.
In the EFL Cup as well, they are into the semi-final, where they play Tottenham Hotspur away on January 8.
