Salah has hit the ground running since joining Liverpool from Roma in June, with 28 goals in 30 Premier League appearances so far this season. 

Salah's scintillating form has attracted the praise of former Liverpool and Australia star Harry Kewell, who backed the Egypt international to challenge Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo for the Ballon d'Or trophy.

“If he was to have a fantastic World Cup, gets a couple of goals and plays well, and then continues again next season, why not go for the Ballon d’Or?" Kewell told talkSPORT.

“He’s got the goals, I don’t see why he couldn’t win it.”

Salah only trails Cristiano Ronaldo on this season's list of top scorers, with 40 goals in all competitions but Kewell insists the 25 year-old's goal scoring prowess isn't the only asset to his game.

“He has this amazing dribbling ability, and defenders are scared of it,” added Kewell, who made 139 appearances for Liverpool.

“It’s a part of the game that players believe they can do, but when you get someone who can actually dribble, obviously the best is Messi, who can run at defenders and be able to chop and change on a dime, and Salah can do this, you just can’t stop it.

“That’s the key with Salah – he drives at people, he’s chopping, turning, dribbling and people just don’t know how to deal with him.”