Rio Ferdinand shuts down Mo Salah theory and names two icons better than Liverpool star

Rio Ferdinand insists Mohamed Salah is not the Premier League's greatest player - naming Cristiano Ronaldo as one of two players who top him.

The Liverpool star has enjoyed arguably his best season in England with the Egyptian producing week on week on. Salah is eyeing another Golden Boot and has already broken the 20-goal barrier whilst he also sit top of the assists charts.

His contributions in the final third have the Reds 11 points clear at the top and a second title would further his own legacy in the Premier League. Some, Jamie Carragher among them, have begun putting him close to the top when it comes to the competition's greatest ever players.

Ferdinand though maintains that he's third at best with Ronaldo, his former Manchester United team-mate, and Arsenal icon Thierry Henry both ahead of him in the pecking order.

When the Salah theory was put to him on TNT Sports he quickly replied: "No chance. He's not ahead of (Thierry) Henry and (Cristiano) Ronaldo."

Explaining his view on Salah he went on to add: "Stats-wise and consistency-wise he is in the conversation, in the top three definitely, but in terms of someone who excites me, the maverick, that’s what elevates them for me to be the best. It’s what you like watching. I want someone who will make me squeal. You wouldn’t want to play against Salah though, I’ll say that."

Salah's efforts this term have him being talked about as a potential Ballon d'Or contender - an accolade he's never won. Individual awards have continued to go the Egyptian's way but the Golden Ball has eluded him, but he's putting forward an impressive case.

Ally McCoist, who was on punditry duty with Ferdinand, didn't give a ranking but maintained that Salah was one of the all-time greats of the Premier League era.

“He is without doubt in my opinion one of the elite players to play in the league of all time," said the Scot. "He honestly deserves to be mentioned up there with your Henry’s and your Bergkamp’s and all those kinds of guys. He’s a phenomenal talent. It’s remarkable, absolutely remarkable and he’s one of the best players to grace the league.”

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