Mohamed Salah compared to Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi after winning PFA Player of the Year award

Jordan Henderson has compared Liverpool team-mate Mohamed Salah to Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi after the Egyptian won the PFA Player of the Year.

The forward was rewarded for a stunning first year at Anfield, which has so far yielded 41 goals in all competitions.

Salah's exploits have reportedly attracted the attention of Real Madrid, and Henderson believes the former Chelsea frontman deserves to be compared to some of the best players in world football.

He said: "Messi and Ronaldo have done it at that level for 10 years plus, but Mo is good enough to stay at this level and keep improving.

"Definitely this season in terms of the way he's played, the goals he's scored and the impact he's had on games, means he's up there with the best."

Meanwhile, Henderson admits the level of Salah's performances this season has taken even his team-mates by surprise.

"He came in during the summer, settled in really well during pre-season and straight away we knew we had a top player," added the Liverpool captain.

"He was amazing in training and during the pre-season games and has continued that form throughout the season.

"He's been fantastic on and off the field. When he joined from Roma, we expected him to be good but he's gone above and beyond that."