'His life is easy' - Mohamed Salah fires brutal dig at Man City star Erling Haaland as tensions rise ahead of Liverpool's visit to Premier League champions

Salah was describing the differences between playing upfront and on the wing when he made the comparison. In an interview with Sky Germany, he claimed that scoring goals is "easier" for Haaland as he plays down the middle.

Salah and Haaland are competing for the Premier League Golden Boot, with the Liverpool forward pulling clear in recent weeks. He has 24 goals in the league this season, with Haaland five goals behind on 19.

Salah said: "I respect him a lot. We may have only spoken once after the last game. But he's a striker, so his life is easier. I wish him all the best, of course. But his life is easy because he plays as a striker. As a winger, getting that kind of quota is pretty difficult. Any winger can tell you that. That's why I see it differently between us, because he's a striker and I'm a winger."

Salah will be aiming to inspire his side to victory at the Etihad on Sunday, with a win at least preserving their seven-point lead at the top of the table. Should he score, he would also improve his Golden Boot prospects.