Danny Murphy hailed Mohamed Salah as “the best Liverpool signing of the past decade” after watching the Egyptian king set a new club goals record.
The winger marked his 100th Premier League game with his 70th league goal for the Reds to help seal a 2-1 victory over Bournemouth on Saturday.
It’s more than Fernando Torres, Luiz Suarez, Robbie Fowler or Michael Owen have made it in their first 100 games with a Liverpool jersey.
In fact, it is more than Sergio Aguero of Man City and the great Ruud van Nistelrooy of Manchester United have managed in 100 matches for their respective clubs, and just behind Alan Shearer in the history of the Premier League.
Salah’s strike against the Cherries was also his 20th campaign goal so far, which means the Egyptian international has now scored 20 or more goals for the third consecutive season – the first player to do so for Liverpool since Owen between 2000 and 2003.
More goals after 100 Premier League apps for a single club
- Alan shearer (Blackburn Rovers) – 79 goals
- Mo Salah (Liverpool) – 70 goals
- Ruud van Nistelrooy (Manchester United) – 68 goals
- Sergio Aguero (Manchester City) – 64 goals
- Fernando Torres (Liverpool) – 63 goals
The consecutive winner of the Golden Boot was one of Liverpool’s main players in what has been a sparkling spell for the club, although he has recently shared the spotlight and even been overshadowed by some of his teammates.
His compatriot Sadio Mane has arguably been Liverpool’s best player this season, and possibly also for the better part of the last term, having been directly involved in 61 goals (44 goals and 17 assists) in the two latest campaigns.
But Murphy insists that Salah is Liverpool’s best signing in the past decade and a better addition than even former goalkeeper Luis Suarez.
“Mo Salah is a unique player,” former RedSPORT host Natalie Saywer told talkSPORT. “Scoring so many goals so quickly from this wide position is amazing.
“Comparing him to the attackers is difficult because he does not play centrally, but achieving what he has so quickly from a large role is a better achievement than what none of the Liverpool attackers have achieved.
Most goals after 100 Premier League applications for Liverpool:
- Mo Salah – 70 goals
- Fernando Torres – 63 goals
- Robbie Fowler – 62 goals
- Luis Suarez – 62 goals
- Michael Owen – 54 goals
“It has probably been as good a purchase for Liverpool as anyone in the past ten years.
“I know that Luis Suarez was sensational, but Salah’s consistency and durability also means that he rarely misses matches.
“And he’s so modest, he goes about his business under the radar. He doesn’t flash, he doesn’t make silly and provocative celebrations, he keeps hitting goals.
“The love for Mo Salah is there – I just think he has calmed down a bit because of Mane’s brilliance this season, and Firmino too.
“But ultimately, when or if Mo Salah leaves Liverpool, he will be remembered not only because he is a wonderful goal scorer, but because he is part of this team which won the Premier League after 30 years and won the Champions League.
“That’s why we will remember him. All goals only count if something comes to the end.”
Murphy’s comments hinted at speculation about Salah’s future at Anfield, with Real Madrid and Barcelona saying they were interested.
And, asked if he thought the wingman would leave the club, Murphy added, “Everyone leaves at the end.”
Watch a clip from Danny Murphy on talkSPORT above