Mitch Freeley

Former Liverpool striker Emile Heskey believes that Reds star Mohammed Salah is “getting there” to be compared with the likes of Lionel Messi.

Heskey, who was a pundit at the beIN SPORTS studios to witness Salah scoring four in Liverpool’s 5-0 demolition of Watford over the weekend revealed that the Egyptian attacker, who has shone in his debut season at Anfield is well on the way to be considered to be in the same bracket as Messi. “Salah is getting there. The only thing with Messi is that you will see it year in, year out every year he’s doing that he’s picking up them numbers.”

Salah has scored 36 goals in all competitions so far this season and is currently averaging 0.88 goals per game. Heskey, who scored 39 goals in 150 Liverpool appearances admitted that Salah is on course for a record-breaking year. “For a calendar year Salah could get to sixty goals and that would be a phenomenal feat.”

Understandably, with the Egyptian in such scintillating form in front of goal, a move to European giants Real Madrid has been highlighted as a potential destination in the summer. Heskey admitted it would be hard for Liverpool to turn down a big-money move for their star man, the Reds do have time on their side with Salah.

“It will be difficult for Liverpool to keep him. The good thing is that they have a little bit of time they could offer him a chance to win the Premier League but they have to try and push for that and to win the Champions League. If they can mount a challenge in those two they have a real chance of keeping him.”

Heskey also talked up the chances of his former side in their Champions League quarter-final against runaway league leaders Manchester City, whilst admitted Liverpool would have to tighten up at the back against the Citizens.

“I still feel there are things to tweak defensively, you know that you’ve always got a chance against Liverpool so that’s something that has to be tweaked.  Offensively Liverpool is even on par with City if not better.”

You can watch Manchester City take on Liverpool in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final Live & Exclusive on beIN SPORTS CONNECT.