IT was the infamous statue which was pulled down after critics likened it to former US president George Bush and entertainer Jimmy Krankie.

And now the spectre of Saints' short-lived Ted Bates statue has been raised again after a bizarre statue of Liverpool forward Mo Salah appeared.

The former Roma player shot to worldwide fame with a stunning debut season at Anfield, scoring 32 goals in 38 Premier League games.

But far from looking like the Egyptian star, the oddly-proportioned sculpture has been compared to Marv from the hit film Home Alone.

The official Southampton FC Twitter account was quick to sympathise with the sculptor, posting a photo comparing the two unusual creations with the caption "we know the feeling".

 

As reported by the Daily Echo, the Ted Bates statue was first revealed to the public on March 17. 2007, but was removed shortly afterwards.

A more accurately-proportioned creation was put in its place a year later.

Ted Bates served Southampton FC for 66 years in several guises before his death in November 2003, at the age of 85.

He signed for the club as a teenage striker 60 years ago, and formed a prolific partnership with Charlie Wayman before becoming a coach when his playing career ended in 1952.

Ted managed the club for 18 years before handing the reins to Lawrie McMenemy in 1973, but spent a further 20 years as a club director before stepping down in 1993.