LIVERPOOL STAR MO Salah is respected but not feared by Real Madrid, according to captain Sergio Ramos.
Salah has led the Premier League giants into the Champions League final and they will face Madrid in Kiev on May 26.
The Egypt international has drawn comparisons to one of Ramos’ team-mates, Cristiano Ronaldo, thanks to his impressive 43-goal campaign.
But Ramos insisted Salah was just another player, saying there was nothing to be afraid of.
“We have seen what Salah can do this season, but he will just be one of 11 players we face against Liverpool,” he told the Mirror.
“Throughout my career, I have faced the best forward players in the world – many of them who are considered among the greatest ever.
“For me, there is never a fear. A respect, yes, but never a fear.”
While Liverpool’s run to the final has been a surprise, Madrid are in the decider for the fourth time in five seasons.
Ramos said his team were desperate to claim the trophy once again against unexpected opponents.
“We can’t be arrogant but we can be confident. We know it is in the DNA of Real Madrid to win the Champions League,” he said.
“We are ready to defend our title for a second time – we won’t let it go easily.
“With all respect, maybe at the start of the campaign Liverpool were not the team people thought would be in the final, but they are here because they deserve to be here.
“We know as a team how to play finals – and we will be ready.”
In his defence, he does have a point
Oh please God let Salah score a hat trick
@Ado Smith: they’ll still concede 7
Messi is the only player arguably he has faced with that ability to turn on a six pence and we know what Messi has done to him many of times over the years.
@Professional Chef:yes …. But Messi wont be there unless its Row MM Seat:1 of the main stand. Nobody knows how this game will go but i hope its a cracker and i hope Liverpool win it.
@John Hayes: Apart from Mo, Soz…
@John Hayes: there is no main stand
@Marc Richardson: ok Marc …. Has it another name ? If so tell us … The suspense is killing here.
@Professional Chef: Ramos makes his point well , he plays against the likes of Messi , Neymar ,
Suarez , Griezmann , Costa around 12 times a year He’s played against Robben , Ribery Aguero Kane Lewandowski , Ibra , Higuaín etc etc And he’s won against them all , not every time of course but more often than not .
Salah is extremely dangerous the whole Liverpool front line is but no more dangerous than Messi, Suarez , Neymar …
He’s about to have a bad night in Kiev
@Scott Crossfield: Another red card for Ramos could be a good bet. Can’t see him keeping Mane and Salah quiet all game.
@Maureen: was thinking the same. A strong ref could catch up with Casemiro’s antics too
@Maureen: or another goal in the 93rd minute …
Lads, there’s no denying the medal count anyway.
What a legend, he has faced the best both for club and country.
Ramos will go down as one of the greats. That said Salah is on fire, Has the makings of a cracker.
I hope he gives salah an awful thumping
@John Tanner: that’s a fair sad thing to say
Good bet for a red card . He’s yet to get one in a major final I think. So given he’s played in that many of them , by the law of averages and all that. Unfortunately I still think Madrid will have too much for the pool.
@pg38: law of averages says that he wins way more often than he loses , especially finals …