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“It’s not fair” – Gerrard urges fans to stop comparing Liverpool’s 30-goal star with Lionel Messi

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By Rohan Sengupta

Mohamed Salah

Steven Gerrard has urged Liverpool fans to stop comparing Mohamed Salah to Barcelona icon Lionel Messi. Salah joined the Reds in the summer from AS Roma and has been in phenomenal form since then. The Egyptian has scored goals left, right and centre and his recent goal against FC Porto in the first leg of Champions League round of 16 took his tally to 30 goals in all competitions so far.

Sadio Mane grabbed the headlines for his first ever hat-trick for the Reds in Porto’s 5-0 rout but Salah’s overall performance was valued by the fans and pundits.

The Egypt international’s style of play has drawn comparisons to that of Barcelona’s Argentinean star, Lionel Messi. However, Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard feels it’s “not fair” to compare Salah with Messi.

“Liverpool have had too much aggression for Porto. They look like they can score every time they go forward,” Gerrard told BT Sport (h/t Daily Star).

“And we’ve seen a moment of magic from Mo Salah. It’s not fair to the kid to compare him to Messi.”

The way Salah has blossomed under Jurgen Klopp in his very first season at the club speaks volumes. The Egyptian’s burst of pace, the trickery, movement, finishing and style of play has made him look as if Messi is playing.

Both are short and nimble-footed with a classy first touch on the ball. It is not surprising to see Salah draw comparisons to arguably the best player on the planet.

The Egyptian has created havoc since returning back to the Premier League. 30 goals isn’t a joke for a player whose position is on the wings. That adds more value to his goals. The winger has been a revelation under Klopp but many doubted the winger when the Reds bought him from Roma at the start of the season.

Salah is on 30 goals and with the pace he is going about, it won’t shock many if he breaches the 40-goal mark. But it isn’t just about goals and assists this season as the Egyptian is hungry to deliver trophies to the club.

Having put five past Porto, Liverpool’s place in the quarter-finals of the Champions League is all but secured. I wish we try to challenge for the Champions League this season as that remains the only competition we are in.