Ange Postecoglou believes Mohamed Salah would struggle to replicate his remarkable form if he played for his injury-hit Tottenham side.
The Liverpool forward has scored 18 goals and registered 13 assists during a sensational first 20 games of the Premier League season.
Postecoglou's side face The Reds in the first leg of the Carabao Cup semi-finals on Wednesday evening, with Spurs on a dismal run of three defeats in four fixtures.
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The Australian believes Salah is one of the best players in the world, but that he would not have enjoyed his recent purple patch if he was in a Spurs shirt.
"Mo is a world-class player, but if you put him in our team now I'm not sure he'll have that same level of performance because of the situation we're in as a group," said Postecoglou.
"His attacking play, who do you need? You need a team that's kind of in good form, creating opportunities, playing on the front foot, having a really solid foundation of a defence that is cohesive.
"None of these things exist at the moment."
Postecoglou excited by Son's contract extension, says goal is to win silverware before he leaves
Video credit: SNTV
Postecoglou is under pressure with his Spurs side currently languishing in 12th, 22 points behind Liverpool.
In stark contrast, the league leaders are flying high ahead of the Carabao Cup semi-final, having not lost a game in any competition since a 1-0 defeat against Nottingham Forest in September.
Spurs triggered an option to extend Son Heung-min's current deal until the summer of 2026 this week, and Postecoglou believes that his numbers would be significantly more impressive if he had as many opportunities as Salah.
"You've always got to give context. He [Salah] is playing in a fantastic team that are flying at the moment," he added.
"I'd hazard to say that if you put Son Heung-min in Liverpool's team, I reckon his goalscoring return would be decent.
"It's hard for our players at the moment, they're trying awfully hard to be the best they can be.
"But when we're at our best, I still think you'll see Sonny's return, in terms of his ability to score goals and be really effective for us.
"I don't think that's diminished at all."
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