Mohamed Salah continued his incredible season as Liverpool ran riot in the first half of its Premier League encounter against Manchester City.
The Reds knew it could go 11 points clear at the top of the Premier League with three points at the Etihad after Arsenal was beaten at home by West Ham on Saturday. And despite City starting brightly, the visitors soon took the lead.
A clever corner saw the ball find its way to Salah and he made no mistake, with his finish deflecting off Nathan Ake and beyond Ederson. And goalscorer soon turned provider, when the Egyptian teed up Dominik Szoboszlai to make it 2-0.
READ MORE: Jamie Carragher clarifies Erling Haaland comments with cheeky dig ahead of Man City vs Liverpool
READ MORE: Michael Owen outlines what Arsenal must do to have any chance of catching Liverpool
The goal and assist saw Salah take his goal contributions for the season to 40, having now scored 25 times while setting his teammates up on 15 occasions.
It was yet another decisive impact from Liverpool's talisman and remarkably the 11th time he has scored and assisted in the same game this season. And as Andrew Beasley points out, one certain ex-Chelsea man never managed that feat in his entire career.
Eden Hazard was a huge hit during his time at Stamford Bridge and won two Premier League titles, but he scored and assisted in the same game just 10 times throughout his entire Premier League career.
Salah has now scored and assisted in more Premier League games this season (11) then Eden Hazard did in his career (10). Comparison.
— Andrew Beasley (@BassTunedToRed) February 23, 2025
The pair have been compared over recent years, with Salah having struggled to make an impact as Hazard shone at Chelsea. Liverpool midfielder Curtis Jones was even dragged into the debate earlier this season.
Speaking to TNT Sports, Jones said: "I know this might go a little bit left with our fans because the comparison is always there, but Hazard is the one [I'd pay to watch].
"I know we compare him with Mo all the time and I've been into it with Mo. I play it from, who I saw as a kid when I loved the game and I wanted to be like a player.
"I feel like it was Hazard. Every game, I'd watch him, just like, 'wow, that's football.' I wouldn't say he's disrespected, but he might not come into certain [conversations] that he should.
"It's a talk I've had with Mo and all the lads. As a footballer, is he better than Mo? In my opinion, yes. But who would you rather have in your team? They're going to say Mo because he gets you your goals and assists."
Jones soon clarified his comments though as he posed for a picture alongside Salah at Liverpool's training ground, reaffirming: "The one I'd rather have in my team."
