Jamie Carragher says Liverpool have a player becoming more like Cristiano Ronaldo

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Liverpool supporters have never been the biggest advocates of the Cristiano Ronaldo cult.

Having seen him star for two of their fiercest rivals at home and abroad, Reds fans have no reason to back the Portuguese in any way.

Nevertheless, it is inarguable that Ronaldo is one of the greatest to ever play the game, meaning comparisons with him should always be regarded as compliments.

In Premier League terms, the Liverpool player most likened to Ronaldo is Mohamed Salah. There is an ongoing and constant debate about which forward has the greater legacy in England’s top division.

And ahead of Liverpool’s match against Manchester United this Sunday, former Reds centre-back Jamie Carragher has claimed that there is one thing which really makes Salah and Ronaldo comparable.

Mohamed Salah has Cristiano Ronaldo-like drive

When the arguments about Salah vs Ronaldo erupt, most point to goals and assists being the reason for comparison. Liverpool’s Egyptian King wins out on both.

Ronaldo may always win the trophies battle, but as goal-scoring wingers there are also comparisons in the way both stars play the game.

But according to Carragher, the similarities do not end on the pitch. Writing for The Telegraph, the Liverpool legend says Salah and Ronaldo have the same mindset driving them.

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“Salah has similar traits to Cristiano Ronaldo with regards to his mental toughness and determination to extend his career at the top and keep chasing records and trophies,” Carragher says.

“The more he is doubted, the more he responds where it matters on the pitch.”

Carragher also argues that Sunday’s fixture represents the absolute perfect way for Salah to end debates about whether he is getting past his peak.

“If there is one club which will fear negative appraisals of Salah’s form more than any, it is this weekend’s visitors to Anfield, Manchester United,” he says. “Salah’s record versus United is extraordinary.”

Jamie Carragher highlights worrying Salah record

There is certainly some credence in Carragher’s argument that Salah and Ronaldo have a similar mindset. The Portuguese is still playing at 40 years old, and Liverpool’s No. 11 will have designs on doing something similar.

However, after a sluggish start to the campaign, there are some concerning signs that Salah’s time at the very top level may be coming to a close.

Carragher highlights an especially worrying run of form for Salah, laying bare just how poor he has been in front of goal recently.

“The most worrying statistics demonstrate Salah’s difficulties go back to last March,” he says. “In his last 21 Liverpool appearances, he has only five goals (two of which were penalties). He had struck 32 in his previous 42 games for his club.

“In this year’s Premier League, his strike against Bournemouth is his only non-penalty goal so far. That has to change to end the latest chatter about whether his best is behind him.”