Liverpool coach Arne Slot makes Cristiano Ronaldo claim when asked if Mohamed Salah is ‘best in the world’ right now

Liverpool boss Arne Slot has compared Mohamed Salah, Virgil van Dijk, and Cristiano Ronaldo while discussing who the best player in the world is right now.

Salah has been in extraordinary form this season, displaying levels of consistency that would put him up there with the Premier League greats. The Egyptian legend has played a marquee role for the Merseysiders this campaign, especially in the English top flight.

He's the only player with double digits in both goals and assists so far in the Premier League this term, with 17 goals and 13 assists to his name. The 32-year-old tops the leaderboard in both respects. Mohamed Salah has six goal contributions in as many Champions League fixtures as well.

Meanwhile, Cristiano Ronaldo continues to rack up the numbers despite nearing 40 years of age. He has scored 16 goals and provided three assists in 19 games across competitions for Saudi Pro League side Al-Nassr this season.

When asked about the best in the world at a press conference, Slot said (via Liverpool Echo):

"Best in the world? Difficult to compare players but Virgil has had an outstanding season but not the numbers of Mo because he is a defender but Mo's numbers speak for themselves. Ronaldo...we spoke about...if you look just at the numbers he is definitely a great player."

Liverpool will next face Manchester United in the Premier League at Anfield on Sunday, January 5.

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Jamie Carragher compares Mohamed Salah to Cristiano Ronaldo and backs Liverpool star to win Ballon d'Or

Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher has drawn comparisons between Mohamed Salah and the likes of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.

While admitting the Egyptian forward isn't as great as Messi and Ronaldo, Carragher believes Salah is the best player in the world at present.

Given the extraordinary season he's been having, Carragher also backed Salah to win the 2025 Ballon d'Or ahead of Erling Haaland and Kylian Mbappe.

He said (via Liverpool Echo):

"I think Mo Salah has always seen himself, I wouldn't say as good as Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, but I think in that bracket as one of the best players in the world. He feels he has been unjustly maybe not given certain awards and we talk about the Ballon d'Or."

"If Liverpool were to win the league and go really close or even win the Champions League and the fact that (Jylian) Mbappe at Real Madrid hasn't started as he would like and Haaland has not had the season he would like or he's not at his best, I think those factors means this will be Salah's best opportunity of winning the Ballon d'Or," he added.

"He's probably No.1 right now and if he replicates what he's done the first half of the season I think he wins the Ballon d'Or," Carragher concluded.