Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah is being hailed for potentially having one of the greatest individual seasons in Premier League history. Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher stated on Sky Sports that Salah is “having a Messi and Ronaldo season,” while former teammate Daniel Sturridge noted that the discussion around him could lead to Ballon d’Or considerations.
Salah's impressive statistics support the acclaim, as he has accumulated 41 goals and assists this season. With 11 matches remaining, he is just six goals shy of Alan Shearer’s Premier League record. Currently, Salah leads the golden boot race with 25 goals, six ahead of his nearest competitors, Newcastle's Alexander Isak and Manchester City's Erling Haaland.
The 32-year-old has made history by becoming the first player in a Premier League season to score 25 or more goals and provide 15 or more assists. His contributions in Liverpool's recent 2-0 victory over City marked the milestone of being the first player to achieve 40 or more goals and assists in a season on two occasions. This season, Salah has scored and assisted in 11 matches, matching the record for the most such occurrences in one of Europe’s top five leagues since Lionel Messi in the 2014/15 season.
Salah averages a goal or assist every 58 minutes, surpassing the previous record of 63 minutes set by Erling Haaland during his record-breaking season. He is also the first player from any of the top European leagues to register 50 goals and assists across all competitions this season. Liverpool currently sits 11 points clear at the top of the Premier League table and has topped the Champions League group stage, with a Carabao Cup final against Newcastle on the horizon.
Carragher emphasized the significance of Salah's achievements, suggesting that this season could be unparalleled in individual performance. He noted that regardless of how Salah's numbers compare to others, the bar he sets may never be reached again.
Amid speculation regarding his future, Salah's current contract expires at the end of the season, along with those of teammates Virgil van Dijk and Trent Alexander-Arnold. Despite this uncertainty, Salah has indicated a desire for further titles, hinting at his commitment to Liverpool. Interest has been shown from clubs including those in Saudi Arabia, Paris Saint-Germain, and Bayern Munich, yet recent reports suggest that negotiations for a new deal with Liverpool are progressing positively.
While Liverpool was initially hesitant to meet Salah’s wage demands due to his age, his stellar performance this season has shifted that perspective. Currently earning £350,000 a week, Salah is reportedly seeking a new contract around £400,000 per week over three years, totaling approximately A$125 million.
Carragher believes that a contract extension would solidify Salah’s legacy among the Premier League’s all-time greats, positioning him just behind Thierry Henry.
It is noteworthy that Salah’s journey to success included a challenging stint at Chelsea, where he struggled to make an impact. After being loaned to Fiorentina and Roma, he joined Liverpool in 2017, where he has since become a Premier League, Champions League, and FA Cup champion, and the club’s all-time leading goal-scorer in the Premier League.
Manchester United great Roy Keane praised Salah’s critical role in Liverpool’s success, highlighting the necessity of having a world-class player to achieve victory in tight matches.
Liverpool fans will have ample opportunities to witness Salah's talents, with seven of their remaining 11 Premier League fixtures set to take place at Anfield. As the team heads toward a title, it will be intriguing to see how Salah’s contract situation unfolds and his performance in the upcoming Ballon d’Or voting.
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