Salah 'closest to Messi we've seen' as Liverpool star hailed as PL great

Salah was at his brilliant best as he provided an assist before scoring in his seventh consecutive match of the season.

It was not good enough for the winner as Kevin De Bruyne equalised with nine minutes to go but Reds boss Jurgen Klopp felt it was a fitting way to mark the death of Roger Hunt, the club's all-time leading league scorer who died on Tuesday.

"The second goal only the best players in the world score goals like this," said Klopp.

"The first touch, the first challenge he wins then putting it on his right foot and finishing the situation was absolutely exceptional.

"This club never forget these things so people will talk about this goal for a long time and in 50 or 60 years' time they will remember this goal."

talkSPORT host Jamie O'Hara was in agreement at Salah's quality and thinks he is the closest to Messi we have seen.

"He's the best player in the world, for me, if you are looking at a player who is playing at the peak of his powers," O'Hara told Breakfast.

"I can't look at anyone and say they are doing better than Mo Salah. Not only is he doing it in the Premier League, which is the best league in the world, but he's doing it in big games.

"That performance against Man City was outstanding. The individual brilliance, especially for his goal.

"He used his pace and skill for Mane's goal, but his goal was outstanding. He used all his attributes in one moment. Strength, quick feet, pace, power skill and then the finish with his weaker foot showed how good he was.

"This is a big statement… I think he's the closest thing to Lionel Messi we've seen, without being Lionel Messi.

"Since Messi's prime, if you are looking at another player who has come close in terms of player like Messi I would say Mo Salah."

The goal against City was his 101st in the Premier League and O'Hara believes he should be in the conversation for one of the best the league has ever seen.

He added: "I'm not saying he's anywhere near Messi, because he's on another planet, but when we watched Messi he did things against world class players and was making them look silly.

"Mo Salah is now doing that. He's not doing it against Norwich or Burnley.

"He's doing it in massive games against world class players. Is he appreciated enough for what he is doing right now? I don't think he is.

"When we talk about players in the Premier League and Premier League greats, he is never mentioned.

"If you look at the records he's broken, he has to be in the conversation for one of the best Premier League players ever."