Klopp reflects on another record broken for Mohamed Salah

Klopp reflects on another record broken for Mohamed Salah

By Leanne Prescott

There’s been plenty of discussion about Mohamed Salah this season; has the Egyptian flattered to deceive? Does he look a shadow of his former self having taken the Premier League by storm last year? Can he find his form?

Scoring a stunning 44 goals in 52 games last season, the forward broke almost every record imaginable, racking up the most club and Premier League Player of the Month awards in a single season while becoming the fastest Liverpool player to score 20 league goals, beating Daniel Sturridge and Fernando Torres to the post.

Perhaps most impressive, was his consistency in front of goal, beating the record for goals scored in a 38 game season originally set by Alan Shearer (1995-1996), Cristiano Ronaldo (2007-2008) and former Anfield favourite Luis Suarez (2013-2014).

It’d be wrong to suggest the former Roma man has achieved such dizzying heights at the start of this season, showing strong movement in and around the area but struggling to replicate the ruthlessness in front of goal witnessed last term.

Take Stamford Bridge for example; Salah’s incisive movement saw him get free for a one-on-one against Kepa in the second-half, only to hit his shot high and wide of the mark. And yet, Wednesday saw the Egyptian break yet another record since signing for Liverpool back in 2017.

Scoring twice in the 4-0 rout against Red Star Belgrade, the Egyptian converted his 50th goal for the Reds in just 65 games, beating a record set in the 1940s by Albert Stubbins. For perspective, such a feat sees him surpass club greats such as Roger Hunt, Fernando Torres, Ian Rush, Luis Suarez, Robbie Fowler and Kenny Dalglish.

Despite some criticism of Salah, manager Jurgen Klopp insisted he hasn’t been concerned about the forward’s form,

“I think he would say thanks to his team-mates because it’s quite difficult to score goals without these wonderful passes and crosses,” said the Liverpool boss, “[Against Red Star] I have to watch it back but I think the first goal he scored was just a genius link-up play of Shaq [Xherdan Shaqiri], I don’t know how he did that.

“It’s good that we maybe can stop talking about that. I am not in doubt, he was not in doubt, but if you are constantly asked about it then it’s like something is wrong. It’s an exceptional number and hopefully he can continue. What’s the next record he can reach?”

With Cardiff next on the horizon for Liverpool, Klopp will be hoping Salah’s latest achievement sees him kick on in the league, building on his six goal tally to ensure he’s in prime form for what looks like a pivotal game against Arsenal.