Klopp: Salah 'on the way' to reaching Messi's level of quality
Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, Neymar ... Mohamed Salah?
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp believes his Egyptian star is worthy of being considered among the finest in world football, doubly so as Salah notched four goals in a 5-0 drubbing of Watford on Saturday at Anfield.
Salah's 28 league goals have him cruising out in front of the Golden Boot race, and he is now just three strikes away from the Premier League record in a 38-match season. Those numbers, coupled with his consistency, make Salah an elite player in the league - and in Klopp's eyes, around the globe.
"Yeah, I think Mo is on the way. That's good," Klopp answered when asked if Salah and Messi can be mentioned in the same conversation about the best players in the world, as quoted by ESPN FC.
"I don't think Mo wants or anybody wants to be compared with Lionel Messi. He is the one who is doing what he is doing for what feels like 20 years or so. The last player I know that had the same influence on a team performance was Diego Maradona - another Argentina guy.
"Yes, Mo is on a fantastic way - that's for sure. But how it always in life, if you have the skills then you have to show it constantly.
"His consistency is very good for us; he helps us a lot. The boys love playing together with him, he loves playing together with them, so it's good. You need always in a game somebody who brings the ball over the line."
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The 25-year-old has been in inspired form all season and has emerged as one of the league's brightest stars, a total reversal when considering his lackluster Chelsea tenure just a few short years ago.
To that end, Salah offered that the new scenery has allowed him to thrive.
"In Chelsea I didn't play, so I didn't have my chances," Salah said, as quoted by ESPN FC. "I said to all my friends, I think I said it on many interviews as well, that I wanted to come back.
"I like the Premier League I lot. I feel it has my style of football. I like to play (in) the Premier League.
"I said since day one here that I'm happy here at Liverpool and I want to show my football here. If you look at me now and five years ago, everything has changed - mentally, physically ... everything."