By Martin Graham
Mohamed Salah will depart Liverpool this summer having secured his place among the club’s finest players and one of the Premier League’s most influential figures. While his statistics alone underline his greatness, they only partly explain the impact he has had on supporters who embraced him as the “Egyptian King.”
His move from Roma in June 2017 for £34m now looks like extraordinary value considering what followed. Earlier in his career, he had struggled to establish himself at Chelsea, managing just two goals in 19 appearances. Interestingly, he had previously rejected Liverpool in favour of that move after leaving Basel in 2014, with his only early memory at Anfield being a win during his Chelsea spell in a match remembered for Steven Gerrard’s costly slip.
Salah’s development accelerated rapidly after leaving London. Loan spells and then a standout period in Italy transformed him into a complete attacker. By the time he joined Liverpool, he was already close to his peak level, though even then it is doubtful the club anticipated just how decisive he would become.
His Liverpool journey began modestly with a scrappy goal in a 3-3 draw against Watford, but it quickly became clear that it was the start of something extraordinary. From that moment onwards, scoring became a constant feature of his game.
Dominance, trophies and attacking brilliance
Across his Liverpool career, Salah has scored 255 goals in 435 appearances, placing him third in the club’s all-time scoring charts behind Ian Rush and Roger Hunt. In the Premier League alone, he has registered 189 goals and 92 assists in 310 matches, giving him the highest combined total of goals and assists for a single club in the competition’s history.
His first season set the tone, delivering 44 goals and 14 assists in 52 games. That campaign ended in disappointment due to a shoulder injury in the Champions League final, but redemption came a year later when he scored in the victory over Tottenham to secure the trophy.
Salah formed a devastating attacking trio alongside Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino. Operating from the right, he complemented Mane’s presence on the opposite flank and Firmino’s deeper, creative role. Their combination of intensity, movement and technical quality made them one of the most dangerous forward lines in world football.
Consistency defined his time at Anfield. Even his lowest return in a full season saw him score 23 goals during a title-winning campaign. His overall win rate, above 60% across both Premier League and total appearances, reflects the sustained success Liverpool enjoyed during his era.
Leadership, transition and lasting impact
As key teammates such as Mane, Firmino, Jordan Henderson and Fabinho moved on, Liverpool entered a new phase. Despite the changes, Salah remained central, continuing to deliver decisive contributions in what was described as a rebuilt side.
Although there were occasional tensions with managers, including visible frustration during a match against West Ham and later disagreements, his influence on the pitch never disappeared. He thrived under an attacking system that maximised his strengths and allowed him to remain the team’s primary threat.
Following the departure of Jurgen Klopp, Salah produced another outstanding campaign, scoring 34 goals in 50 starts and playing a vital role in securing the league title. His performances helped ensure a smooth transition into a new managerial era.
His later period at the club was more turbulent. A drop in form, combined with personal and emotional challenges following the loss of a teammate, affected his performances. Public criticism and a strained relationship with the manager briefly overshadowed his contributions, but he still reconnected with supporters and remained a respected figure.
Ultimately, these moments do little to diminish what he achieved. Salah leaves Liverpool with a collection of major honours and a legacy built on goals, consistency and unforgettable performances. His place among the club’s greatest players is beyond dispute.