Wenger compares Lionel Messi to Mohamed Salah
Football
By
Waweru Titus
| Dec 20, 2019
Former Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has likened Liverpool star Mohamed Salah to Barcelona talisman Lionel Messi.
Salah, who has 13 goals and provided seven assists to his name in all competitions this season has a similar style of play to Messi.
Wenger said Salah plays like the 6-time Ballon d’Or winner and Liverpool are privileged to have a complete player.
"I like his evolution because he had touches [against Monterrey] of a playmaker.
"He created chances around the box that are exceptional, there were shades of Messi in him and I like that a guy who can score so many goals also becomes the guy who gives assists.
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"That is a complete player. That's what we all admire and what we want from our players,” Wenger told beIN Sports.
Wenger spoke in a joint interview with Liverpool coach Jurgen Klopp, who reiterated the Frenchman's sentiment.
"Very good, very good experiences [with Salah] but the most positive was on the training ground – sensationally good. On the pitch he's great, really, really good,” Klopp said.
Substitute Roberto Firmino alias Bobby grabbed a stoppage-time winner as Liverpool beat Mexico's Monterrey 2-1 on Wednesday to reach the Club World Cup final.
The Reds scored first in the 12th-minute lead when Salah split the Monterrey defence with a clever reverse pass which Naby Keita raced on to and confidently slotted home.
The lead, however, lasted only two minutes as Monterrey’s Rogelio Funes Mori fired home to make it 1-1.
Firmino scored the winning goal after receiving a crisp pass from Trent Alexander-Arnold at the near post, after good work from Salah.
The final takes place on Saturday.
Manchester United manager has on several occasions compared Marcus Rashford to Juventus talisman Cristiano Ronaldo.
“Rashford has similar attributes to Cristiano.
"It's very easy to compare the two of them, yes. Both with skills, body shape, attitude and everything. The boy has every chance in the world to become a top, top player. Let's hope he continues like this."
Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi are considered the best footballers in the world for their incredible achievements in the sport for over a decade.