‘Best in the world’ - Anthony Gordon names Liverpool player he tries to emulate at Newcastle United

Anthony Gordon has revealed Liverpool talisman Mohamed Salah is the player he takes the most inspiration from. Despite playing for Everton, Toon winger Gordon confessed to admiring the Egyptian, calling him “the best” in world football. Salah tried - and failed - during his first crack in the Premier League.

Chelsea signed him from Basel in 2014 and he made just 19 appearances across two frustrating years before being shipped out to Roma. It was in Italy where Salah emerged as one of Europe’s top talents, spending two seasons - one of them on loan - at the Stadio Olimpico.

Liverpool’s scouting department pinpointed Salah as the man to spearhead their charge to the summit of European football. A fabled story is how Jurgen Klopp did not fancy the forward initially - but 44 goals in his debut campaign quickly squashed those doubts.

Salah has gone on to score over 200 Liverpool goals, leading the Reds to success both domestically and abroad. Now aged 31, the forward’s accomplishments will crown him as an all-time Premier League great once he retires.

By contrast, Newcastle wideman Gordon’s top-flight career remains in its infancy. The 22-year-old is a similar age to what Salah was when he first arrived at Stamford Bridge.

Gordon navigated a tough opening period on Tyneside and, since the summer, has arguably been the Magpies’ best player. His seven goals this season equals the tally he managed in 78 games for Everton.

Salah and Gordon play on opposite flanks but the Newcastle man admitted he tries to emulate his counterpart to improve in attacking areas. He told TNT Sports: "I watch Salah a lot. Numbers-wise, the positions he takes up, the runs in behind… he’s unbelievable. He’s probably the best player in the world for me because he has so much impact on the game."