Anfield Index
·13 November 2024
In partnership with
Yahoo sportsAnfield Index
·13 November 2024
All the statistics are just incredible from whatever angle and whatever age is referenced. Mohamed Salah has proven time and again why he is the fulcrum of Liverpool’s attacking engine. As rumours swirl about contract negotiations and possible extensions, the numbers paint an unequivocal picture—renewing Salah’s contract isn’t just a good idea; it’s essential. Liverpool cannot afford to let their talisman slip away, and here’s why. Any analyst in the world can’t ignore the numbers.
Salah currently leads the Premier League with 14 goal involvements (goals + assists), pulling ahead of other prolific attackers. His nearest rivals include Cole Palmer (Chelsea) and Erling Haaland (Manchester City), both sitting on 12, while Bukayo Saka of Arsenal trails with 10. Salah’s numbers aren’t just impressive—they’re peerless. All this others have been raved about so what does that say about the Egyptian King?
The consistency he brings season after season sets him apart. For context, these players are enjoying breakout or strong seasons, but Salah has been doing this for years. At 14 goal involvements already, he is shaping up for yet another Golden Boot-worthy campaign. When your player is outperforming young prodigies and one of the league’s most clinical strikers, it becomes clear that their value is unmatched.
You can profile deeper against similar names. Salah’s influence extends beyond scoring and assisting—his sheer presence in dangerous areas is unmatched. This season, Salah leads the league in touches inside the opposition box with 102. His closest rival, Erling Haaland, has 85 touches, while Bernardo Silva sits further behind with 82. Arsenal’s Bukayo Saka lags even more at 72. The disparity highlights Salah’s relentless ability to create pressure, stretch defences, and orchestrate attacking plays. Every touch Salah takes in the opposition box is a potential goal or assist waiting to happen. For Liverpool, no other player embodies this level of efficiency and creativity
Remarkably, this is Salah’s best-ever season in terms of minutes per goal involvement. Sitting at a scintillating average of 67.4 minutes per goal or assist, he has outperformed even his most celebrated seasons. For comparison:
2017/18: 71.0 minutes per goal involvement across 4,120 minutes
2023/24: 82.4 minutes per goal involvement over 3,130 minutes
2021/22: 93.4 minutes per goal involvement across 4,296 minutes
This season’s form proves Salah is far from declining. If anything, he is evolving into an even more clinical and efficient version of himself. His ability to sustain peak performance despite years of high-intensity football is almost unheard of. Letting go of a player who is improving in their thirties defies logic.
Photo: IMAGO
Even entertaining the idea of replacing Salah is daunting. How do you find someone to replicate not just his goals and assists but his unrivaled influence? Players like Haaland or Saka are brilliant, but even they aren’t matching Salah’s numbers consistently at the moment. Liverpool would be gambling on the hope of finding another generational talent—and those don’t come around often. Moreover, Salah’s impact transcends statistics. His leadership, mentality, and connection with fans elevate him to legendary status. Losing him would leave a void that extends beyond the pitch.
Whether it’s a two-year, three-year, or longer extension, Liverpool must act swiftly. Salah has shown no signs of slowing down, and his unmatched statistics this season make a compelling argument for an extended stay at Anfield. Liverpool are in the midst of an exciting rebuild, but no foundation is stronger than one built around Salah. Failing to renew his contract would be a monumental mistake—one that could haunt the club for years. The metrics don’t lie, and they all point to one conclusion: Salah isn’t just a player Liverpool should keep. He’s a player Liverpool must keep.
Langsung
Langsung
Langsung