Former Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has praised Liverpool winger Mohamed Salah, comparing the Egyptian star to Lionel Messi. Meanwhile, the Frenchman also said that Salah can match Messi if he becomes less selfish in front of goal.
“He’s 20 goals away basically, if you want to be as concrete as possible,” Wenger told beIN Sports .
“But he is similar to Messi. He must still find the consistency of Messi. I find him a just as good finisher but Messi is the complete thing – he gives the final ball as well and Salah is a bit obsessed now by finishing himself so that’s a dimension he’ll get certainly when he gets a little bit older. To find the moment when you have to give the ball and when you have to finish.
“I like him very much, he has huge potential,” he added.
It is to note that in Liverpool’s recent 3-0 win over Burnley, Salah was criticised after failing to pass to Sadio Mane in the second half when his fellow attacker was in a far better position.
Wenger also heaped praises on the Brazilian striker Roberto Firmino in particular for his selfless style of play.
“You forget the guy that sacrifices himself a little bit is Firmino,” said the 69-year-old veteran.
“Like Luis Suarez did for Messi and Neymar. A guy that works for the team, that works for everybody and gets them to shine,” he said, adding, “This piece of the jigsaw is very hard to find – a striker that is generous.”