Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah is flattered by Lionel Messi comparisons as his four goals against Watford put him on top of the Argentinian in the list of the European Golden Shoe contenders. Craig Burley and Alexis Nunes take a look at the European Golden Shoe race and debate whether Mo Salah will win it over Leo Messi. ESPN FC's Craig Burley examines this week's Player Power Rankings, which see Mohamed Salah top the list following his stellar showing against Watford. Georginio Wijnaldum talks to ESPN's Mark Ogden about Liverpool's front three, the team ethic behind their success and who he thinks will win the PFA player of the year. Steve Nicol explains why Mohamed Salah deserves player-of-the-year accolades over Kevin De Bruyne, despite Manchester City running away with the Premier League.
Liverpool's Egypt international Mohamed Salah wants his exploits in the Premier League to serve as inspiration for his fellow countrymen.
The 25-year-old has been in exquisite form since moving to Anfield from Roma in 2017, netting an astonishing 36 goals across all competitions for his new club.
Salah, who had stints at Fiorentina, Chelsea and FC Basel before his time with the Giallorossi, says that it has been a hard road to get to the upper echelon of world football -- and hopes he can be the first of many Egyptians to make the journey.
"It was difficult for us -- for any Egyptian player -- to be at that level and continue playing that level for many years," Salah told ESPN Brazil.
"I knew from the first day I went to Basel [it would be] difficult.
"But I want to change that -- I don't want that anymore. So I'm trying to work hard to see my weaknesses, to work hard on my weaknesses, to change that.
"It was a little bit tough because I used to go four and a half hours from my village to play in Cairo and come back.
"It was not easy but you know I suffered a lot for that and I think now I've got that result and now I'm trying to improve because I want all Egyptian people to follow my way."
After his four-goal salvo against Watford on Saturday, Salah is leading the Premier League Golden Boot race with 28 goals -- four more than Tottenham's Harry Kane in second place.
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Source: espn.co.uk