Former Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger believes Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah is showing “shades” of Barcelona icon Lionel Messi.
The 27-year-old Egyptian international has been a huge success since moving to Anfield in 2017, scoring 84 goals in 127 games helping the Reds to the 2019 Champions League title.
Is Salah becoming more like Messi? Five things to know…
- Messi has scored over 600 career goals for Barcelona.
- He’s also a provider of goals, notching nine assists in La Liga and Champions League play this season alone.
- Salah assisted Naby Keita’s opening goal during Wednesday’s 2-1 win over Monterrey.
- That adds to Salah’s six assists in the Premier League and Champions League play this season.
- And Wenger believes it’s this creative streak which is likening Salah to the six-time Ballon d’Or winner.
Salah provided the assist for Naby Keita’s opening goal against Monterrey during Liverpool’s 2-1 Fifa Club World Cup semi-final win on Wednesday and although the former Chelsea man has become more renowned for his goalscoring, it’s this playmaking streak which has Wenger comparing him to six-time Ballon d’Or winner Messi.
“He (Salah) had touches last night (against Monterrey) of a playmaker,” Wenger told beIN Sports.
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“He created chances around the box that are exceptional, (there were shades) of Messi in him last night and I like that a guy who can score so many goals also becomes the guy who gives assists.”
Klopp hails “complete” Salah
Further to Wenger’s praise, Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp has hailed Salah as a “complete player” and expressed his delight at working with the 27-year-old on the training ground.
“Very good, very good experiences [with Salah] but the most positive was on the training ground – sensationally good,” he said.
“On the pitch, he’s great, really, really good.”
Liverpool face Flamengo in the Fifa Club World Cup final on Saturday.