But they have absolutely no plans of giving Egypt's captain, or any of his teammates, too much respect.
Salah is struggling with a hamstring injury suffered in Egypt's final group match against Iran but if fit, looms as a key figure in the round-of-32 clash with Australia on Friday (Saturday AEST) at Dallas Stadium.
Defender Jordan Bos could have to handle the former Liverpool star if he plays, but won't be getting overawed.
"Maybe off the field there's some respect but on the field there's no respect - it's just eat or be eaten," Bos said.
"I think that's how everyone's going to go in the game and that's how I will go in the game."
Salah, who hasn't trained all week, and Manchester City attacker Omar Marmoush are the two biggest names in the game.
"Obviously Mo Salah is a top player. He's been at the top for a very long time," Bos said.
"We'll definitely have to look at how we can stop him and Egypt. We've already done a little bit about that.
"It's just fine-tuning and seeing what the coach and staff have in mind to help us with that."
The Socceroos are chasing their first knockout win at a World Cup and will need their stars, like Feyenoord defender Bos, firing on all cylinders.
Bos delivered a near-perfect performance as a right wing-back against Paraguay that earned rave reviews from his teammates.
"I liked seeing that," Bos said, though he was adamant he can elevate his game to another level.
"Hopefully I do get an assist or a goal in the next game or next couple of games, hopefully," he added.
"And then maybe a couple more comments from the boys will come out."
The 23-year-old relished the different approach of playing as a right wing-back compared to his usual role on the left.
The switch-up seemingly unlocked another level of attacking prowess and allowed Bos to link up with Cristian Volpato with ease.
"It's a bit different," Bos said.
"Obviously, on the right, it's easier to cut in and stuff like that and get onto my left than on the left.
"It's a little bit different in that aspect, but it's nice to have something different and try new things."
Australia departed for Dallas on Tuesday and Bos, 23, could already feel the heightened intensity in the air as the knockout phase begins.
"It's just that extra bit of something that if you lose you're out," Bos said.
"In the group stages if you lost a game or if you didn't win then you still have another chance the next week but for the knockouts there's no second chances.
"So I think it's going into this game like there is no tomorrow because if we lose there is no tomorrow.
"It's just flicking that switch and I feel like the boys during the group stages were already in that mindset."
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