Rodri admits Liverpool star has REPLACED Lionel Messi

Liverpool have enjoyed a spectacular start to the season, and Mohamed Salah has once again been the main man.

Arne Slot’s early-season success at Anfield has seen a number of players including Ryan Gravenberch, Ibrahima Konate and Luis Diaz rightfully praised for their contributions, but it is Mohamed Salah who has stood out above the rest.

Providing a goal and an assist in the Reds’ most recent victory over Aston Villa, Salah fired Liverpool to five points clear at the top of the Premier League table.

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The Egyptian King has consistently been one of the Reds’ top performers since his arrival in 2017, and he doesn’t look like slowing down anytime soon.

Now, in a ‘game recognises game’ moment, one of the world’s best players has confirmed that Mo Salah is indeed the toughest opponent he’s had to face in recent years.

Rodri confirms Salah as his toughest opponent

Less than a month on from winning the Ballon d’Or, Manchester City’s Rodri has spoken to Spanish radio station COPE, and as part of the interview he was asked about the toughest player he had played against.

“Messi before and now Salah, especially at Anfield” Rodri told COPE.

This level of praise coming from a footballer who has won numerous trophies including the Euros this summer and the treble only two seasons ago, is real recognition of just how good Salah really is.

The fact that Rodri doesn’t have to face Messi anymore will obviously weigh in to Salah overtaking him, but even so to be put in the same category as Lionel Messi is an achievement for any footballer.

Salah’s excellent start to the season

Although Salah is now 32-years-old, he is enjoying an electric start to the season.

After 17 matches in all competitions the Egyptian already has 10 goals and 10 assists and leads the way for Liverpool’s goal scorers.

Salah is currently averaging a goal or an assist every 67.5 minutes and has started every game for the Reds in both the Premier League and the UEFA Champions League.

There can be no doubt that Salah is still very much at the top of his game, and with the likes of Diaz, Cody Gakpo and Darwin Nunez firing alongside him, the Egyptian King could go on to have one of his best campaigns in a Liverpool shirt.

The issue overshadowing this excellent start is of course that this could be Salah’s final season at Anfield as the star’s contract is currently due to expire at the end of this season.

Negotiations are reportedly underway for an extension however, and Liverpool supporters will be hopeful that Salah will continue to electrify Anfield for many years to come.

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