Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has said Mohamed Salah can match the level of consistency and longevity of Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi.
Salah has been one of the most impressive performers in the Premier League this season and is the top scorer so far with 16 goals.
The forward's performance has earned him a nomination for the best FIFA Men's Player of the Year award for 2021 along with Messi and Bayern Munich striker Robert Lewandowski.
Salah turned 30 in June, and when asked at a news conference on Wednesday whether the Egypt international could produce at the same level as Ronaldo and Messi in the later stages of his career, Klopp responded: "Yes, I think so.
“It is his character, determination and the way he trains. His working attitude is incredible, he is the first and last out to do the right thing.
"He knows his body, he knows what he needs to do, he's listening to the experts here and trying to improve all the time. He works so hard for the position he's in now. Don't waste it. So yes, I'm as sure as you can be."
Klopp was also asked about Salah's comments to GQ magazine on Tuesday where he said: "I'm not asking for crazy stuff" about negotiating a new contract with the club.
"It's dangerous with these interviews these days," Klopp said. "We know, I know, that Mo wants to stay. We want him to be. We're there. These things take time, I can't change that. It's all in a good place."
"There are a lot of things in conversation," he said. “It is also a third party with the agent. There is nothing to worry about, it is a normal process.
"I'm positive about it. The fans are not as nervous as you. They know the club and the people who deal with things here. We can't say anything about that."
Liverpool hosted Arsenal in the first leg of the Carabao Cup semi-final on Thursday after the opening game at the Emirates was called off due to the COVID-19 outbreak at Merseyside club.
Liverpool will be without Salah and Sadio Mane, who are on international duty in the Africa Cup of Nations. Klopp confirmed that Trent Alexander-Arnold was back in contention for the match but Thiago and Divock Origi were still unavailable.