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Jamie Carragher believes Liverpool talisman Mohamed Salah has to be crowned PFA Player of the Year.

The Kop legend says the Egyptian winger's blistering form over the past month should see him pip Manchester City's Kevin de Bruyne to the big prize.

Salah bagged his 39th goal of a record-breaking season in the Reds' Champions League quarter-final win over City .

He has netted seven in his last four appearances – helping Jurgen Klopp's side cement their place in the top four of the Premier League and driving them on towards European glory.

“All season I thought De Bruyne would win it,” Carragher told the ECHO.

“About a month ago I said that Salah was on De Bruyne's coattails but now I honestly think he's gone past him.

“He scored four against Watford, got the late winner at Palace and then scored home and away against City.

“What Salah is doing is unprecedented. Ronaldo is the only player who has scored that number of goals from playing out wide.

“Even Thierry Henry, possibly the greatest player ever to grace the Premier League, only got 39 goals in his most prolific season ever. That shows the kind of company Salah is in.

“He's still got five Premier League games left and potentially three more in the Champions League.

“Salah has to win Player of the Year now. You'd be hard pushed to make a case against him.”

If Salah scores against Bournemouth at Anfield on Saturday he will become the first Liverpool player to bag 40 in a season since Ian Rush in 1986/87.

Remarkably, Boxing Day was the last time he started a game at home and failed to find the net.

Salah's ice cool finish at the Etihad on Tuesday night transformed the mood after the Reds had found themselves under the cosh in the first half.

“It wasn't a brilliant performance in the second leg, but what the team did show on the night when brilliant character,” Carragher said.

“It was a nightmare start with City getting the early goal and they exerted a lot of pressure in that first half.

“City did to Liverpool what we did to them in the first half of the first leg. The goal lifted the crowd and we had to hang in there.

“To not concede again over the course of 90 minutes was testament to how well Liverpool defended. The organisation, the work rate and the commitment from everyone was spot on.

“A lot of people, myself included, have questioned the mental toughness of Liverpool during Klopp's tenure. At times when they have been under big pressure in games they have wilted.

“That was the great thing for all Liverpool supporters the other night – they dug in.

“I was always confident that Liverpool would score. The way that City were set up it was basically three v three for 90 minutes. We have too much quality at the top end not to create really good opportunities.”

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Liverpool restricted City to just three shots on target over the two legs with Virgil van Dijk showing why they splashed out £75million in January.

However, Carragher was equally impressed with fellow centre-back Dejan Lovren, who has taken plenty of stick at times this season.

“Van Dijk has been getting a lot of plaudits and rightly so. Since he's come in there's been a big change defensively,” he said.

“But Lovren was brilliant. It was one of his best games in a Liverpool shirt. I thought he was outstanding.

“There are still questions marks over him at certain times but Lovren and Van Dijk have shown they are Liverpool's best centre-back pairing.

“Van Dijk's presence has given confidence to players around him and Lovren has probably benefited more than anyone else.”

(Image: John Walton/PA Wire)

Liverpool enjoyed a slice of good fortune with Leroy Sane's goal wrongly disallowed for offside just before the break. Pep Guardiola's protests saw him sent to the stand.

“As soon as it went in and the camera panned to the assistant who was talking into his mouthpiece I thought it was going to get over-turned and the goal would be given,” Carragher said.

“Milner didn't appeal for offside because he knew it had come off him. When the referee still disallowed it I celebrated like it was a Liverpool goal.

“It was a massive moment. If City had gone in 2-0 up rather than 1-0 the feeling would have been very different. That was a bit of luck but over the two legs there's no doubt Liverpool deserved to go through.”

Excitement is growing as Kopites dream of a sixth European Cup triumph in Kiev next month.

Carragher, who lifted the trophy in Istanbul 13 years ago, believes Klopp's men can go all the way.

(Image: Colin Lane)

“There's no doubt that Liverpool can win it,” he said.

“This team is better than the one I played in that won the Champions League in 2005. When I said that earlier this season, a few people laughed but this is a top Liverpool team with a top manager.

“Yes, Man City have been more consistent this season – the league table shows that – but Liverpool beat them 5-1 over two legs.

“They are still outsiders but they've got to take great confidence from knocking out Man City.”

Carragher will await Friday's semi-final draw in Nyon with interest. He's hoping that the Reds will be heading to Italy rather than Spain or Germany in the last four.

“I'd go for Roma because they haven't been this far for a long time. Real Madrid and Bayern Munich have much more European experience,” he added.

“For Liverpool to have to beat either Real or Bayern in the semis and then probably the other one in the final would be tough.

(Image: AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)

“Roma played very well in the Nou Camp and they were unlucky to lose 4-1 before producing that amazing fightback in the second leg.

“They are no mugs but I think they could be affected by a big night at Anfield more than say Real or Bayern.

“I'd be looking for Roma but to be fair, I'm sure Roma are saying the same thing about Liverpool. They are the two new kids on the block in the last four.”

Carragher was speaking ahead of next Thursday's 'Ladder 23 Night' at Liverpool's Titanic Hotel.

The dinner on April 19 will raise funds for his 23 Foundation as well as the Fire Fighters Charity.

The event will be hosted by local comedian Willie Miller with the BBC's Richard Askam in conversation with Carragher about his childhood, his illustrious career and life since hanging up his boots.

Entertainment will also be provided by impressionist Darren Farley, harpist Ian Ruddock and the Cheshire Fire Choir.

Tickets are available online at: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/the-ladder-23-night-registration-40148377879

To find out more about sponsorship packages available email: les@jamiecarragher.org