Luis Diaz has sung the praises of his "extraordinary" Liverpool teammate Mohamed Salah after his decisive penalty earned the Reds a 1-0 win against Girona, cementing their perfect record in the Champions League group phase.
The 32-year-old Egyptian's spot-kick marked his 50th Champions League goal and furthered his already impressive season stats this season: 16 goals and a dozen assists from just 22 matches in all competitions. In Europe's top-five leagues, no one can trump Salah's tally of 28 contributions to goals this term.
Salah's crucial moment midweek came when the Video Assistant Referee instructed the on-field official to check a potential foul by Donny van de Beek, who had committed an offense on Diaz inside the area. Salah then stepped up and proved to be the Liverpool matchwinner once again.
During an interview with TNT Sports Mexico, Diaz expressed admiration for Salah, noting the honor he feels sharing the pitch at Anfield with such talent. The hope is that will continue beyond 2025 if Salah can agree a contract extension.
"The penalty was [correct] because I was trying to hit the goal and I felt when he stepped on me," Diaz recounted. "Obviously I didn't have in mind who the player was but he stepped on me too hard from my shin, to my ankle. My boot came off so I knew that it was a penalty when they went to review it so it was very clear it was going to be a penalty."
On Salah, Diaz added: "It's crazy, his numbers are incredible. He is an extraordinary player. A player who motivates you to play well. It's good that you learn a lot from him because he plays alongside you and it's a privilege, so I'm also very happy for him because of what he's achieving.
"This isn't just from today or yesterday. He has been doing the same thing for many years and several seasons so obviously he is going to continue like this."
Liverpool.com says: Every member of the Liverpool roster will want to see Salah remain put at Anfield. He is still the Reds' most important attacker and he will be the runaway leading scorer in Arne Slot's first season in charge. Against Girona, he was the man who made the difference in terms of where the points headed and it won't be the last time that happens this year.