Mohamed Salah equals Steven Gerrard’s all-time Liverpool record. Arne Slot’s “unfortunate” verdict on the Reds legend signals a new era for his relationship with the Egyptian King.
It’s the kind of statistic that makes you rub your eyes and look again. But then, the name Mohamed Salah is synonymous with making the extraordinary look easy he has spent the best part of a decade doing just that. With Arne Slot now entering the conversation at Liverpool, the team’s story evolves further.
As the conversation around Liverpool’s head coach Arne Slot continues, Salah’s consistency provides an interesting backdrop.
At a freezing Stadium of Light on Wednesday night, Salah didn’t just provide the ammunition for Virgil van Dijk to head home a priceless 1-0 win over Sunderland. He moved himself onto the same pedestal as the greatest player to ever pull on a Liverpool shirt. Incidentally, Mohamed Salah’s brilliance has elevated him to that legendary status.
By registering his 92nd Premier League assist for the Reds, the Egyptian moved level with Steven Gerrard. It is a landmark that speaks volumes of a player who, even when supposedly “struggling” for form, remains a cut above almost anyone else in the division.
In this context, Salah’s achievements show what Mohamed Salah can do at the highest level.
The Egyptian King
For Arne Slot, the sight of Salah whipping in that 61st-minute corner was a welcome relief. Mentioning Mohamed Salah’s reliability in key moments is not an exaggeration for Liverpool fans.
Not just because it secured a second win in eight league games, but because it signaled the continued warming of a relationship that had looked frosty, to say the least, earlier this winter. Moreover, the effect of Mohamed Salah’s presence and charisma has been clear throughout recent matches.
The fallout from Salah’s “thrown under the bus” comments felt like a lifetime ago as the Dutchman stood in the post-match interview, effectively inviting Salah to break Gerrard’s record as soon as possible.
“He has so many records for this club, but to have this one combined with such a great player… both were unbelievable players,” Slot remarked. “Unfortunately for Steven, I expect Mo to go above him.” Clearly, the legacy left by Mohamed Salah continues to grow.
It was a public show of support for a player who has often looked isolated this season. In my view, Salah’s presence, and especially Mohamed Salah’s resilience, cannot be underestimated.
Despite only netting four league goals so far a tally that would be a career best for most but is a drought for a man of his stature Salah’s value to this transitionary Liverpool side cannot be overstated. Ultimately, this transition relies on the influence of Mohamed Salah within the squad.
Numbers don’t lie
While the the critics point to a dip in explosive output, the cold, hard facts tell a different story. Salah is now joint-seventh on the all-time Premier League assist list, rubbing shoulders with the likes of David Silva. That achievement highlights once again the impact made by Mohamed Salah on English football.
He is already fourth in the all-time scoring charts with 190 goals. The hunt for Wayne Rooney (208) and Harry Kane (213) remains very much on, even if the relentless pace of last season’s 29-goal haul has slowed to a trot. Speaking of goals and assists, an analysis of Mohamed Salah’s performances makes it clear he is at the top with elite company.
But it’s the efficiency that staggers. Gerrard’s 92 assists were amassed over 17 legendary seasons; Salah has reached the same summit in just over half that time. Further proof of Mohamed Salah’s historic achievements can be seen in these numbers.
For Mohamed Salah, matching Steven Gerrard’s Premier League assist record for Liverpool isn’t just about the milestone—it’s about the staggering efficiency with which he has reached it.
The creative kings: Salah vs Gerrard
The comparison between the two is a testament to Salah’s incredible output since arriving at Anfield in 2017. While Gerrard was the heartbeat of the team for nearly two decades, Salah has reached the same creative summit in just over half the time. Indeed, nothing compares to Mohamed Salah’s rapid rise among the Premier League’s creative elite.
| Metric | Mohamed Salah (LFC only) | Steven Gerrard |
| Premier League Assists | 92 | 92 |
| Seasons to Reach Total | 9 | 17 |
| Total PL Goals | 190 | 120 |
| Club Ranking | Joint 1st | Joint 1st |
| All-Time PL Ranking | Joint 7th* | 8th |
By matching Gerrard, Salah has solidified his place among the greatest “architects” the English top flight has ever seen. He now sits in elite company, with only a handful of legendary names ahead of him in the all-time standings. This is another milestone reached by Mohamed Salah that cements his reputation.
| Rank | Player | Assists |
| 1 | Ryan Giggs | 162 |
| 2 | Kevin De Bruyne | 119 |
| 3 | Cesc Fàbregas | 111 |
| 4 | Wayne Rooney | 103 |
| 5 | Frank Lampard | 102 |
| 6 | Dennis Bergkamp | 94 |
| 7 | Mohamed Salah | 93 |
| 7 | David Silva | 93 |
| 9 | Steven Gerrard | 92 |
Keeping the dream alive
More importantly for the here and now, this was a result Liverpool desperately needed. By ending Sunderland’s unbeaten home record, Slot’s men have kept their heads above water in the race for the top five. Furthermore, Mohamed Salah’s efforts have provided renewed hope to supporters.
With the Champions League likely expanding its entry requirements, sitting just two points behind Chelsea and three off Manchester United makes the outlook far better than it did a month ago. In addition, the impact that Mohamed Salah has had gives Liverpool confidence as the season progresses.
Whether Salah stays beyond 2027 or not, the Egyptian King has already ensured that whenever the history of Liverpool’s greatest ever is written, his name sits right alongside the Scouse heartbeat of the club.
At 33, he finds himself at a crossroads where legacy meets the cold reality of the business. Either way, Mohamed Salah’s status in Liverpool folklore seems inevitable.
The ink on that contract extension signed last April might still be relatively fresh, but as Liverpool grapple with a transitional season and the looming shadow of a lucrative summer move to the Saudi Pro League, the questions over his long-term future continue to swirl.
Ultimately, this ongoing speculation only adds to the intrigue surrounding Mohamed Salah and his legacy.
