'This might go left with Liverpool fans' - Curtis Jones admits his idol growing up played for Reds' fierce rivals as he makes bold 'better than Mohamed Salah' claim

Jones, a Liverpool academy graduate, has admitted that his favourite player as a child was Chelsea legend Eden Hazard. He further suggested that the Belgian winger was a better player than Mohamed Salah in the prime years of his career.

Speaking to TNT Sports, the 23-year-old 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 as 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."

He added: "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."

After Jones' interview went viral on social media, the midfielder took to social media to do some damage control as he posted a photograph with Salah and wrote in the caption, "The one I'd rather have in my team."

Salah versus Hazard has been a very common debate between Premier League fans over the last few years when discussions have risen about the greatest wingers the top division has seen in the modern era. The Egyptian, however, has clarified that he shares a close bond with the Chelsea icon in an interview with TNT Sports Mexico.

The Merseyside club will be back in action on Tuesday as they take on RB Leipzig in a Champions League fixture at Anfield.