Liverpool’s cost on the prime of the Premier League desk has been pushed by a relentless assault, and on the coronary heart of all of it stands Mohamed Salah. The Egyptian ahead is within the midst of a staggering season, setting information and proving, but once more, why he’s among the many best to ever put on the well-known pink shirt.
On the Every day Pink podcast, hosted by Dave Hendrick for Anfield Index, Salah’s unbelievable consistency and sheer dominance had been entrance and centre of the dialogue. With numbers which might be pushing the boundaries of what’s potential in English soccer, Hendrick painted an image of a participant whose brilliance merely can’t be ignored.
Document-Breaking Numbers
Salah’s affect on Liverpool’s season is nothing wanting historic. As of now, he has amassed 27 targets and 17 assists within the league – “obscene” numbers, as Hendrick rightly put it. That places him simply three targets and three assists away from changing into the primary participant in Premier League historical past to report a 30-goal, 20-assist season.
“He’s one purpose contribution shy of [Thierry] Henry’s well-known 20 and 20 season,” Hendrick identified, including that Henry had 45 purpose contributions that yr, whereas Salah already has 44 with 9 league video games nonetheless to play.
The Premier League’s all-time report for purpose contributions in a single season is held by Alan Shearer and Andy Cole with 47, however as Hendrick famous, “they performed in a 42-game season.” Salah, in the meantime, is effectively on observe to surpass that whole in simply 38 video games.
“If he will get to 30 and 20, you’re speaking 50 purpose contributions in a 38-game season,” Hendrick stated. “That’s only a staggering quantity.”
Unmatched Consistency
Not like different prime forwards within the league, Salah has delivered throughout each competitors, each week. Whereas some attackers have flashes of brilliance, Salah’s output has been remarkably constant.
“He’s by no means gone greater than two video games and not using a purpose,” Hendrick said. His longest purpose drought within the league was simply two matches – towards Nottingham Forest and Brentford. Even then, Salah nonetheless managed to offer an help.
“This isn’t streaky type,” Hendrick added. “It’s recreation after recreation after recreation.”
This extends to the Champions League as effectively. Throughout all competitions, he has 44 purpose contributions in league soccer alone, which Hendrick in comparison with the whole output of Barcelona’s Raphinha in all competitions.
“There are individuals making an attempt to assert Raphinha ought to be forward of him within the Ballon d’Or,” Hendrick scoffed. “Based mostly on what?”
The Mentality of a Legend
At 32, Salah is displaying no indicators of slowing down. “He’s already handed Cristiano [Ronaldo] for purpose contributions in his age 32 season,” Hendrick identified. And with a minimum of 11 video games nonetheless to play, that whole is simply going to rise.
“He’s obtained 54 purpose contributions this yr,” Hendrick continued, “and he may need 16 video games left.”
The drive to interrupt information is clear. Hendrick urged that Salah can be decided to succeed in 30 targets and 20 assists, which means Liverpool’s title cost will proceed to be fuelled by his relentless ambition.
“Mo being Mo, he’ll need to play in all of them,” Hendrick stated. “He’s going to play each European Cup recreation we have now and the Cup ultimate.” Even when Liverpool wrap up the league title early, don’t anticipate Salah to take a break. “He gained’t take day without work if he hasn’t handed Shearer and Cole. If he doesn’t get to the 20 assists, I don’t see him being prepared to sit down out.”
Legacy Cemented
Salah’s numbers this season are nothing wanting legendary. Hendrick summed it up merely: “What Mo is placing up this season is profession stats for some gamers. And he’s making it look regular at age 32.”
For Liverpool followers, watching Salah on this type is a privilege. The group could also be marching towards one other league title, however for Salah, the non-public milestones are simply as essential. If he retains this up, we may very well be witnessing the best particular person season in Premier League historical past.