Mohamed Salah has said that his goal to become ‘the best Egyptian ever’ makes him work hard.
The Liverpool forward was rewarded for an incredible 2017 as he clinched the BBC Player of the Year award beating club teammate, Sadio Mane, Borussia Dortmund and Gabon attacker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Nigeria and Chelsea's wing-back Victor Moses and, RP Leipzig and Guinea's midfielder Naby Keita.
Salah was made the Kops’ record signing after a laudable 2016-17 season at Italian outfit, Roma where he scored 19 goals 39 games across all competitions.
His first Merseyside derby goal in Saturday's 1-1 stalemate with Everton saw him match last campaign's tally in just 24 games, and barely half a season into his Anfield career.
Also, he played an integral role in helping to return Egypt to the World Cup after a 28-year hiatus. The former Chelsea flop had a hand in all of their seven goals - scoring five times and providing two assists - in the qualifying series, including a last-gasp penalty against Congo in the final and crucial game.
And Salah has revealed his aim to be the best player to come out of the north African country.
"I want to be the best Egyptian ever so I work hard," Salah told BBC.
"I always follow my own way and I want everyone in Egypt to follow my way."
Salah will hope his recent individual accolade propel him to dish out more breath-taking, consistent performance for the Reds and the Pharaoahs at the Russia 2018 World Cup.
On Wednesday, Liverpool will be turning to him, again, for inspiration as they seek victory over struggling West Bromwich Albion in their next English Premier League encounter.