Is Salah better than Ronaldo? Klopp has his say on the debate

Stefan Bienkowski

• 22 Oct 2021 16:57 BST
• 7 min read

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp went to great lengths to avoid suggesting that his star striker Mohamed Salah is better than Manchester United forward Cristiano Ronaldo.

Although the Portugal international has enjoyed a bright start to the new season at Old Trafford, with six goals in nine games, Ronaldo has been overshadowed by Salah’s remarkable form for Liverpool.

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In his first 11 games in all competitions, Salah has bagged no less than 12 goals and four assists for the Anfield side.

However, despite Salah’s clear run of form, Klopp wasn’t interested in being drawn into comparisons between the two players.

“Why should we compare? Both are world-class. I would say Mo’s left foot is better, Cristiano may be better in the air and with his right foot,” said the Liverpool manager at a press conference on Friday.

“Speed-wise, both are quick and desperate to score goals but I’m not too interested in comparing, sorry.”

Who is the better player now?

While there’s little doubt that Salah is in a better run of form at the moment, it remains to be seen whether the Egyptian forward will end the season with more goals than Ronaldo.

Last season the former Juventus star bagged no less than 36 goals in 44 games for the Turin side in all competitions, which was more than the 31 goals Salah bagged in 51 games over the same period.

Liverpool fans may be happy to stick with their own goalscorer, but the question over which player will end up finishing top of the goalscoring charts will likely come down to which team outperforms the other over the course of the season.

If Man Utd can get back on form and find a way to win matches with Ronaldo leading the line, then the Portuguese star may soon find himself back on a level footing with Salah.