Below is a summary of the full article. Click here for the full version or go back to LFC Live.net

Liverpool forward at Mohamed Salah has been hailed as a major Ballon d'Or contender(Image: Darren Staples/AFP via Getty Images)

Liverpool's Mohamed Salah has been tipped for Ballon d'Or contention despite being described as 'not perfect' and 'scruffy' in front of goal.

The Egyptian forward is currently at the heart of a heated debate over whether he should be crowned the world's best player.

The controversy was ignited when Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher suggested that success in the Africa Cup of Nations wouldn't boost Salah's chances of winning the prestigious award.

Carragher has since faced backlash for implying that AFCON isn't a major tournament and had previously hindered Salah's recognition.

Now, ex-United goalkeeper Ben Foster has added his voice to the discussion about Salah's Ballon d'Or prospects on his Fozcast podcast.

Despite admitting that he doesn't always find Salah's playing style easy to watch, Foster believes Salah should be the prime contender for the award, provided Liverpool secure their silverware ambitions.

He said: "Mo Salah is so strong.

Even when he's scruffy with his finishes, it still goes in the back of the net."

The discussion about Salah's potential for the Ballon d'Or award erupted following a tense exchange in the Sky Sports studio on Sunday.

The situation arose as both Micah Richards and Daniel Sturridge challenged Carragher's seemingly dismissive attitude towards AFCON during their analysis of Liverpool's 2-0 victory at Manchester City.

Carragher said: "I think the problem (is) the fact he's with Egypt and he's probably not playing in the major tournament as such, or maybe got a great chance of winning, I think it's either the Champions League or the major tournament."

Mo Salah playing for Egypt(Image: Abeer Ahmed/NurPhoto)

This was quickly countered by Richards, who said: "Just to say, AFCON is a major tournament because a lot of people will be at home saying, 'They aren't taking it serious'.

Writing on X, he said: "The point I was trying to make yesterday was that Mo Salah is at a disadvantage playing for Egypt in terms of him winning the Ballon d'Or.

"If Salah had an average season at LFC but won the AFCON and was MVP I don't think he would win the Ballon d'Or.
For more news relating to Manchester City, visit our sister site City Latest Live.