Salah is a fraud - fans brand Mo after Barcelona Champions League match

Mohamed Salah, Lionel Messi [Courtesy]

Liverpool fans have been keen to talk up Mohamed Salah as amongst the world's elite players.

The Reds star has been dubbed the "Egyptian Messi" in the past and his fine form for Jurgen Klopp's side has led to a growing reputation.

Liverpool supporters have talked him up as right up there with Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi amongst the very best players the world has to offer.

But Messi had the last laugh in Wednesday's Champions League semi-final first leg as his double condemned Salah's side to a 3-0 win.

The Argentinian curled in a breathtaking free-kick to put his side 3-0 up - and any hopes Liverpool had of a comeback were lost when Salah missed a sitter just seconds later.

He could only fire into the post with the goal gaping within a minute of Messi's stunner with rival fans quick to point out that the minute encapsulated the difference between the two big name stars.

"Well we know for sure that Messi is miles ahead of Salah now after that last minute," one fan said with another pointing out: "Messi took an outrageous free kick from 30 yards out. Salah missed a sitter. Difference".

It was said that Messi was "proving the difference between great and world class players" as Salah was accused of "bottling" his opportunity.

"There's your difference between Messi and Salah," another wrote on Twitter, with others simply saying: "Salah on the same level as Messi hahahahahahaha" as they laughed off the claims.

Barcelona's Argentinian forward Lionel Messi (C) celebrates after scoring a goal during the UEFA Champions League semi-final first leg football match between Barcelona and Liverpool at the Camp Nou Stadium in Barcelona on May 1, 2019. [AFP]

Another said: "Messi scores a worldie and Salah misses a sitter. You hate to see it" as rival supporters enjoyed Liverpool's defeat.

The fact Salah failed to capitalise on a major moment led others to point out how "Messi and Suarez have turned up at the big moments. Salah just missed one."

He was branded a "fraud" by some viewers, with another believing Messi was "showing Salah what a proper forward is".

"Please don’t compare him to Messi or Ronaldo again" another fan pleaded.

With Salah missing the chance to add a vital away goal, Liverpool are facing a huge task in next week's Anfield second leg.