Messi, Barcelona forward delivered at the most crucial time for the Catalan giants to help them blast past Jurgen Klopp’s men.
Paul Merson, Arsenal legend had things to say about the game and also about Mohamed Salah’s performance in Liverpool’s 3-0 first leg semi-final Uefa Champions League defeat to Barcelona on Wednesday.
The Egyptian star has often been compared with Argentine star Lionel Messi.
Messi was in incredible form against Liverpool, scoring a brace after Luis Suarez’s first-half goal, to gift the Spanish champions a huge advantage ahead of the second leg fixture next week.
Mohammed Salah had an opportunity to reduce the disgrace in the encounter but missed the glorious chance.
“You’re always judged on how you play in the big games, and this week just proved how far he is behind Lionel Messi,” he told the Daily Star.
“Messi never lets you down when it matters. That’s why he’s the best player in the world. Only Cristiano Ronaldo can rival him for that crown.”
Currently leading the Premier league goalscorers’ chart with 21 goals, Salah is on track to being crowned best Premier League player of the year despite a slow start to the season.
Paul Merson is very confident that Salah, the Egyptian forward will place this failure against Barcelona behind him in his next match against Newcastle United on Saturday night.
“I’ve been there. You lie in bed at the hotel after a miss like that and it just keeps on going through your head. It’s a horrible feeling,” he continued.
“But you miss chances sometimes. Everyone does. It just proves he’s human. People say he’s had a bad season but he’s the Premier League’s top scorer!
“He doesn’t seem the type to dwell on it. He seems quite laid back. He could make four mistakes in a game but still not lose his confidence and end up doing something special.
“So, I think he will bounce back against Newcastle. He is a strong character and Liverpool need him firing if they’re going to win the league.”
On the international scene, Salah will hope to shine for Egypt in the 2019 AFCON, slated for June and July.
The Egyptian Pharaohs are in Group A alongside DR Congo, Uganda and Zimbabwe.