LIVERPOOL manager Arne Slot has FORGOTTEN that Cristiano Ronaldo starred for Manchester United.
The Dutch coach was asked to compare 30-goal striker Mo Salah with world superstars Lionel Messi and Ronaldo.
Liverpool manager Arne Slot forgot that Cristiano Ronaldo starred for Manchester United
Ronaldo played more than 300 games for United, winning the Ballon d’Or with the club in 2008
Mo Salah is enjoying one of the greatest individual Premier League seasons ever
And it had slipped the mind of Slot that the Portuguese international – now playing for Al Nassr in Saudi Arabia – spent a total of seven seasons in two spells at United.
Slot said: “It’s so difficult to compare players with each other, and it’s not fair to anyone. I think Mo has his own career and Mo has been outstanding.
“Messi and Ronaldo both didn’t play in the Premier League, but I don’t want to bring them down because these two players are incredible, but that makes the comparison maybe even more difficult.
“So Mo has had some outstanding seasons here at Liverpool, and we hope he can continue this for a longer period of time, but to do that he first has to extend his contract, of course.”
Salah, who faces Newcastle tomorrow for the Premier League leaders, has been outstanding for the Reds this season.
And Slot believes Salah could win the Ballon d’Or without winning the Champions League.
Manchester City midfielder Rodri achieved that last season even though him winning the award infuriated Real Madrid and Vinicius Junior.
Slot added: “It’s mostly about the attackers, isn’t it? Although the last winner was a midfielder.
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“But yes, it’s a good thing that Mo is in the discussion, because it means he does well and it means we are doing well.
“I think in general, someone that wins the Ballon d’Or needs to win something as well, so it’s a great challenge that is in front of us, but also in front of him.
“And what I liked a lot is that he takes this challenge not only by scoring a big goal and a great assist against City, but he also wanted the team to win.
“Because his defensive work rate, especially in the second half, was outstanding, and that is what it takes for us to have a chance of winning something.
“And if we as a team can win something, he will have a far better chance to win an individual prize like the Ballon d’Or.”
Ronaldo played in 346 games across two spells for Man Utd and won his first of five Ballon d’Or’s when playing for the club in 2008.
The Portuguese superstar won eight trophies during his first five year stint, including three consecutive Prem titles and the Champions League in 2008.
Salah has now racked up an incredible 51 combined goals and assists this season across all competitions.
He has now reached 25 goals and 16 assists in the Premier League alone – with 11 top-flight games still to go.
Salah has now scored AND assisted in 11 different Premier League games this season.
That’s the most since a certain Messi achieved the same feat for Barcelona in 2014/15.
The Liverpool superstar notched another goal and assist as the Reds beat Man City Creator – [#item_custom_dc:creator]
