Salah ‘the best player on the planet right now,’ Steven Gerrard claims

Steven Gerrard labelled Mo Salah ‘the best player on the planet right now’ after the forward continued his incredible season by leading Liverpool to a 5-2 victory over Roma on Tuesday.

The Egypt international scored two and created two as Jurgen Klopp’s side took control of the Champions League semi-final following the first leg at Anfield.

Since joining Liverpool from the Italian side last summer, Salah has an enjoyed a phenomenal return to English football – racking up 43 goals and 15 assists in 47 appearances.

The Egypt international continued his incredible form in the semi-final first leg at Anfield

Ex-Reds captain Steven Gerrard claimed the forward is ‘the best player on the planet right now’

After the Anfield victory, former Liverpool captain Gerrard heaped praise on the forward.

He told BT Sport: ‘He’s in the form of his life and it’s difficult to compare him to the (Cristiano) Ronaldos and (Lionel) Messis because they’ve done it for so long and they’ve been consistent year in, year out. 

‘But without a shadow of a doubt he’s the best player on the planet right now.’

Salah last week picked up the PFA Player of the Year Award following his amazing first season back in England.

And on Tuesday, he opened the scoring with a fine curling shot before doubling the Reds’ lead with a well-taken chip over the onrushing Alisson.

Former England defender Rio Ferdinand hailed the 25-year-old’s finishing, claiming he is ‘deciding games almost on his own at times.’

Jordan Henderson celebrates after Salah opens the scoring at Anfield with a curling effort

Salah, 25, is hugged by Reds boss Jurgen Klopp after being taken off during the second half

‘We’ve run out of words to kind of describe the way this guy is performing this year. Did we expect it at the beginning of the season? No. 

‘But he’s shown here (with the first goal) that you can go away and work on your game (and) when you come back you can go beyond anyone can imagine,’ he said.

‘His finishing tonight means he’s got to be regarded as, form wise, one of, if not the, best player on the planet at the moment in the way he’s doing things. There isn’t anyone on the pitch when he plays that he feels can stop him (and) no one seems to be able to contain him.’ 

Frank Lampard added: ‘Some players are a privilege to watch and we watched him in the first half down here. Balance (and) quick feet and the fear he’s putting into the defenders. Intelligence and the positions he’s getting into – goalscoring positions – he’s getting better and better.’

Liverpool fans inside Anfield pay tribute to their ‘Egyptian King’ during the semi-final clash

BT Sport pundits Frank Lampard (c) and Rio Ferdinand (r) also praised the Liverpool forward