Mohamed Salah proving himself the best in the world at Liverpool

Egyptian star producing goals that only geniuses can score

1. Mohamed Salah's first goal of the season came in Liverpool's first game of the season, a 3-0 victory at newly promoted Norwich City on August 14. Reuters

2. Salah's second goal came on August 28, in Liverpool's 1-1 draw with Chelsea. Reuters

3. No 3 of the season was at Leeds United, where Liverpool won 3-0. EPA

4. Another for Salah in the Premier League in the 3-0 win against Crystal Palace on September 18. AFP

5. A thrilling 3-3 draw at Brentford on September 25 saw Salah claim another goal. AFP

6. A goal that will be talked about for years to come: Salah scores a wonderful strike in the 2-2 draw with Manchester City on October 3. EPA

7. The international break did nothing to slow Salah's form, as he danced around Watford's bewildered defence to score in the 5-0 win at Vicarage Road. Reuters

8. Salah scores the third against Manchester United in Liverpool's 5-0 Premier League triumph on October 24. Getty

9. Salah was soon at it again, adding the fourth at Old Trafford. Getty

10. A hat-trick for Salah, adding the fifth in Liverpool's 5-0 win at Manchester United. Getty

11. After three games without a goal, Salah is back on the scoresheet in the 4-0 demolition of Arsenal in the Premier League on November 20. EPA

12. Another to delight the Liverpool fans as Salah scores his side's second goal during the 4-1 Merseyside derby win at Everton on December 1. AP

13. His next came in the same match at Goodison Park. EPA

14. The only goal of the game in the 1-0 Premier League victory over Aston Villa at Anfield on December 11. EPA

15. Liverpool keep the momentum going with a 3-1 win over Newcastle at Anfield, with Salah netting the second, on December 16. Reuters

16. Salah celebrates another goal in the 2-2 draw at Chelsea on January 2. AP

17. Salah scores the second goal in the 3-1 win against Norwich on February 19. PA

18. Mohamed Salah scores in the 6-0 win against Leeds on February 23. PA

19. Salah after scoring his second goal of the game against Leeds. AP

20. Another stunning season for Mohamed Salah as he notches Premier League goal No 20 in the 2-0 win at Brighton on March 12. PA

Mohamed Salah scored two of Liverpool's three goals in the victory over Atletico Madrid to become the club's top Champions League scorer with 31, passing Anfield legend Steven Gerrard.

Salah, 29, also became the first Liverpool player ever to score in nine consecutive games: Chelsea, Leeds, Milan, Crystal Palace, Brentford, Porto (2), Manchester City, Watford and, finally, Atletico.

His effort against Watford (he had scored a similar one against City a week earlier) and the first against Atletico were goals that only geniuses can score.

Salah is one of those players we never get tired of watching, capable of doing everything well with or without the ball. The Egyptian has been performing at a high level for several seasons, has reached his sporting maturity and, currently, can be proud of being one of the fittest players in the game.

Speaking ahead of the Atletico game, former Arsenal coach Arsene Wenger singled him out as the best striker in the world in his current form.

Wenger is right. At this moment, there is no other player capable of controlling the ball under pressure and possessing a unique combination of technical skill with the ball at his feet and eyes on the goal.

Salah's is a player who has undoubtedly made the most of his career.

After spells at Al Mokawloon in Egypt, Swiss club Basel, Chelsea (where Jose Mourinho didn't trust him), Fiorentina and Roma, he finally moved to Liverpool, a club which recognised his technique, creativity, quality and, above all, a great capacity to score goals.

His arrival at Anfield was a breath of fresh air for the Reds, who welcomed a new idol after Gerrard's retirement.

His first season was spectacular, forming a formidable attack with Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino. He was top scorer with 44 goals as Liverpool reached the Champions League final, only for Real Madrid's Sergio Ramos to end his season prematurely and painfully with a cynical challenge.

Atletico v Liverpool player ratings

ATLETICO MADRID RATINGS: Jan Oblak - 6: The Slovenian did not have much chance of stopping any of the goals. He made some fine saves but his distribution was poor. AFP

Kieran Trippier - 6: The Englishman made life difficult for Mane and was not shy of using underhand tactics. A combative display. PA

Felipe - 5: The Brazilian was slack early on and his clearance gave Keita the opportunity to score. He improved later but will regret his slow start. Getty

Geoffrey Kondogbia - 4: The 28-year-old was deployed out of position at centre back and did not look comfortable. He was replaced by Gimenez at half-time. Getty

Mario Hermoso - 2: The Spaniard was awful. He frequently wasted possession, defended awkwardly and barged over Jota to concede the penalty that gave Liverpool victory. AFP

Thomas Lemar - 7: The Frenchman helped bring his side back into the game with the cross for the first goal and managed to find space throughout. He was a constant threat but was left with too much to do when Atletico went down to 10 men. AP

Rodrigo De Paul - 6: The Argentinian produced some good touches going forward but neglected his defensive duties. He was withdrawn for Lodi with 10 minutes left. AFP

Koke - 4: The 29-year-old could not match Liverpool’s tempo. He needed to put his stamp on the game but failed in that task. AP

Yannick Carrasco - 6: The Belgian was another who started sloppily but improved. He was better going forward but was forced to temper his ambitions after the red card. AFP

Antoine Griezmann - 6: The Frenchman ruined a splendid two-goal performance with a silly high foot that earned him an avoidable red card early in the second half. Graded down two marks for reckless stupidity. AFP

Joao Felix – 7: The Portuguese showed his class and pace. His run and pass set up Griezmann to equalise. Withdrawn with 10 minutes left when Correa came on. AFP

SUBS: Jose Maria Gimenez - 6: The Uruguayan replaced Kondogbia after the break. He was bundled over in the area by Jota and on other nights might have been awarded a penalty. Getty

Renan Lodi - 5: One of a quartet of 80th-minute substitutes. He replaced de Paul but was unable to have much impact. AFP

Angel Correa - 5: The Argentinian came on for Joao Felix with 10 minutes left. He had one chance but never quite got to the pace of the game. EPA

Marcos Llorente - 5: The 26-year-old was sent on in the 80th minute in place of Hermoso. He produced a strong run down the line but the cross was aimless. Getty

Luis Suarez - 5: The former Liverpool striker was desperate to get on the pitch but only saw 10 minutes of action when Lamar came off. He made one chance but displayed more anger than art. AFP

LIVERPOOL RATINGS: Alisson Becker - 8: The Brazilian kept his team in the game, making three excellent saves in the first half and another in the second. A picture of composure in a chaotic match. EPA

Trent Alexander-Arnold - 5: A difficult night defensively for the 22-year-old, especially before the break. He was replaced by Gomez with five minutes to go. AP

Joel Matip - 5: The centre back was disoriented by the speed and movement of the counter-attacks. The pressure relaxed a little when the opposition went down to 10 men. EPA

Virgil van Dijk - 5: The Dutchman lost Griezmann on the equaliser and was more uncertain than usual. He had a scoring chance with a header but directed the effort at Oblak. AFP

Andy Robertson - 5: The Scot was energetic going forward but his delivery was imprecise. He stuck to his task when defending. AP

Jordan Henderson - 5: The captain seemed unsure of his role until Fabinho was brought on at half time. He gave the ball away more often than usual. AP

James Milner - 7: The 35-year-old used all his experience to make his mark in midfield and he combined nicely with Salah. He was unfortunate to be booked, which led to him being replaced by Oxlade-Chamberlain in the 63rd minute. Reuters

Naby Keita - 5: The Guinean scored a superb goal but did not do enough defensively. He could have done much better for both of Atletico’s goals and was replaced by Fabinho at half time. AFP

Mohamed Salah - 8: The Egyptian maintained his mindblowing form with a brilliant opening goal and a perfectly-taken penalty to win the game. He was taken off in stoppage time when Williams came on to shore up the defence. AP

Roberto Firmino - 6: The Brazilian dropped back to supplement the midfield, which meant he was forced to neglect his attacking duties for periods. Griezmann was sent off for kicking him in the face. Reuters

Sadio Mane - 4: The Senegalese allowed himself to be distracted by the rugged treatment meted out by Atletico. It was no surprise when Jota replaced him in the 62nd minute. Getty

SUBS: Fabinho - 7: The Brazilian came on for Keita after half time and the midfield immediately looked more balanced. A calming, constructive influence. AP

Diogo Jota - 5: The Portuguese joined the action in the 62nd minute at the expense of Mane. He was fouled for the game-winning penalty but almost conceded a spot-kick at the other end moments later. Getty

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain - 7: The Englishman entered the fray with 27 minutes to go in place of Milner. He worked hard up and down the pitch and tested Oblak with a powerful shot. AFP

Joe Gomez – 6: The 24-year-old was brought on to replace Alexander-Arnold with five minutes to go. He was strong against Lodi. AFP

Neco Williams - 6: Brought on for Salah in stoppage time. The 20-year-old was secure and even got forward to fashion a shooting chance. AFP

Last weekend his coach, Jurgen Klopp, punched the table in admiration for his player after two acts of genius against Watford: an assist of more than 30 metres for Mane and some mesmerising dribbling around the home defence for his goal. I now add one more; the first against Atletico was in the same bracket.

His current deal at Anfield runs until 2023 and the club are offering a new contract that will last until 2026. If Salah puts pen to paper he will become one of the highest paid players in the Premier League.

However, he also has his eye on Real Madrid. The Spanish giants are trying to get Salah out of Liverpool and are willing to exchange a top player and a huge amount of money to lure the Egyptian ace.

The Premier League hasn’t seen a forward perform at such a high level for a long time, perhaps since Cristiano Ronaldo’s first spell at Manchester United. Klopp is right when he says “in this moment, for sure, Mohamed Salah is the best in the world".