The Liverpool star has made an electric start to the new season, further cementing his Anfield legacy while potentially reaching new heights globally

It was not even a quarter of a chance, was it?

When Mohamed Salah received the ball from Curtis Jones in the 76th minute of Liverpool’s showdown with Manchester City, he had his back to goal and three defenders for company. He was on the left corner of the penalty area, surrounded and covered. No real threat.

Or so we thought.

In an instant, and through the most beautiful mix of skill, strength, balance and ingenuity, Salah left Joao Cancelo and Phil Foden for dead. He put Bernardo Silva on his backside. Then he skinned Aymeric Laporte before finally, with devastating precision, fired past Ederson.

“A goal from another planet,” Gary Neville, commentating for Sky Sports, called it. Jurgen Klopp, speaking after the game, said that people will be talking about it in 50 or 60 years’ time.

“Only the best players in the world score goals like this,” the Liverpool boss added. “Absolutely exceptional.”

Is there anyone in world football playing better than Salah at this moment? It is a legitimate question. The Egypt international has been a star for years, but rarely, if ever, has his level been higher than it is right now.

“I don’t think there’s anyone better in the world at this moment, I really don't,” said Jamie Carragher, the former Liverpool defender, on Sunday. Over on BBC Radio 5 Live, Chris Sutton, a Premier League winner with Blackburn, was in agreement.

“We don’t have to get into the whole ‘is he better than [Lionel] Messi and [Cristiano] Ronaldo?’ thing,” Sutton said. “At this moment in time, he’s better than them.”