Liverpool midfielder Curtis Jones has compared team-mate Mohamed Salah to former Premier League star Eden Hazard, reaffirming that the Egypt international is “someone I want to have in my team”.
Jones was forced into a social media post on Monday after mentioning the two wingers in an interview with former Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand.
The 23-year-old England player, who is enjoying his best season for the Merseyside club with three goals and three assists in 18 league appearances, admitted he would rather watch Hazard than Salah.
Hazard scored 85 Premier League goals during his seven seasons at Chelsea, while Salah, who briefly overlapped with the former Belgian icon in west London, became the season’s top scorer with 175 goals in the competition.
“I know this might leave us fans a little bit because there are always comparisons, but Hazard is one of them (I would pay to watch),” Jones said on TNT Sports, referring to the different styles of players.
“I know we always compare him to Mo and I was into that with Mo.
“I play from a guy who loved the game as a kid and wanted to be like the player he was.
“I think it was Hazard. I watched him every game and thought, ‘Wow, this is football.’”
“I wouldn’t say he’s rude, but he might not engage in certain conversations he needs to have.
“It’s a conversation I have with Mo and all the lads. Is he better than Mo as a football player? I think he is. But who would you like to have on your team? They’ll say Mo. You can get your goals and assists .”
After the interview went viral on social media, Jones posted a photo of himself and Salah at
Who we want on our team 😁 pic.twitter.com/Eb7ugwubdY
— Curtis Jones (@curtisjr_10) January 20, 2025
Hazard joined Real Madrid from Chelsea in 2019, but injuries have limited him to 54 appearances for La Liga and he has scored just four goals. He retired in 2023.
Salah is 32 years old, two years younger than Hazard, but is having his best season at Liverpool, scoring 18 goals.
However, there are concerns this could be his final year with his contract expiring in June.
