Former Liverpool attacking midfielder Joe Cole has likened current star, Mohamed Salah, to Argentine great Lionel Messi.
The Egyptian kicked off the new season with a goal and two assists last weekend before playing an influential part as the Reds overcame Burnley 2-0 at Anfield.
Salah saw a wonderfully taken goal chalked off for offside but was always a threat to the visitors’ backline.
Speaking to BT Sport prior to kickoff, Cole was full of praise for the 29-year-old winger.
He’s unbelievable. It didn’t work at Chelsea but he’s come back and become a fantastic player. Do you know what I love about him? He’s so direct, he gets at players, no one’s like Messi but there’s an element to his game his left foot. So well balanced. Wonderful player.
Another ex-Red, Peter Crouch, joined in the admiration for Salah and focussed on the Egyptian’s 98 Premier League goals in just 160 appearances.
It’s an unbelievable record, he’s turned from a winger to become a ruthless goal-scoring machine has been unbelievable. True Liverpool great. To get 100 goals in the same space of time as Henry they’re the types of players we’re talking about with Mo Salah.
Last season the 68 times capped star scored 31 goals across all competitions whilst Messi netted 38 times during what was ultimately a final season with Barcelona.
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Valued at £90million and under contract until 2023 (Transfermarkt), the club are currently attempting to tie their prized asset down to an extended deal.
Whilst comparisons with arguably the greatest player of all time in Messi may be slightly farfetched, there can be no doubt during his time on Merseyside that the Egyptian has nearly matched the six-time Ballon d’Or winner.
Five years younger than the now Paris Saint-Germain man, Salah will no doubt hope to continue to strive towards emulating a player as talented as Messi.
