LIVERPOOL (News Wires) — Egyptian star winger Mohamed Salah celebrated signing a new Liverpool contract by breaking the record of most goals and assists in a 38-game English Premier League season with 45.
Salah has now surpassed Thierry Henry, who had 44 goal involvements for Arsenal in the 2002-03 season and Manchester City forward Erling Haaland, who matched that feat 20 years later.
Salah was in action against West Ham at Anfield. As has often been the case this season, the Egyptian winger proceeded to make a major impact.
Liverpool took the lead in the 18th minute through Luis Diaz, with Salah providing the assist.
There is now another record on the horizon for Salah as he aims to overtake Alan Shearer and Andrew Cole, who registered 47 goal involvements each for Newcastle and Blackburn respectively during 42-game seasons.
It has been a superb season for Salah, who has contributed with 27 goals and 18 assists in the Premier League so far this season.
Salah had been linked with a move to Saudi Arabia and stated in November that he was ‘more out than in’ with regards to his Liverpool future.
However, Salah expressed his delight at remaining at Liverpool. “Of course I’m very excited. We have a great team now. Before also we had a great team. But I signed because I think we have a chance to win other trophies and enjoy my football,’ he told the club website.
“It’s great, I had my best years here. I played eight years, hopefully it’s going to be 10. Enjoying my life here, enjoying my football. I had the best years in my career.
“I would like to say to [the fans], I am very, very happy to be here. I signed here because I believe we can win a lot of big trophies together. Keep supporting us and we’ll give it our best, and hopefully in the future we’re going to win more trophies,” Salah added according to dailymail.co.uk.
The winger ended speculation over his future Friday by signing a new two-year contract worth £380,000-per-week.
Salah’s previous deal had been set to expire last summer and there had been much speculation over his future. Retaining the services of the 32-year-old represents a major boost for Liverpool, who are closing in on the Premier League title.
Liverpool is within touching distance of the English Premier League title after Virgil van Dijk sealed a dramatic 2-1 win over West Ham, while Newcastle climbed into the top four with a 4-1 thrashing of Manchester United.
Luis Diaz’s first-half strike at Anfield was cancelled out by Andrew Robertson’s late own goal, but Van Dijk headed Liverpool’s winner in the closing moments.
Arne Slot’s side are 13 points clear of second-placed Arsenal with six games left.
The Reds can be crowned champions on April 20, if they win at Leicester and Arsenal lose at Ipswich.
Even if Liverpool don’t seal the title, then, it seems only a matter of time before they clinch a record-equalling 20th English crown.
After losing for only the second time in the league this season last weekend, 3-2 to Fulham at Craven Cottage, Liverpool returned to winning ways, despite an underwhelming performance, thanks to goalkeeper Alisson Becker.
“Alisson probably had his best game of the season,” said Slot according to AFP.
“(The winner) was a relief because to me it felt after West Ham scored and the way the second half went, it was maybe more that you could expect them scoring.”
Van Dijk made a hash of clearing Aaron Wan-Bissaka’s cross, deflecting it into his own net off Robertson.
Reds captain Van Dijk made amends three minutes later, rising to head in Alexis Mac Allister’s corner as Liverpool closed in just a second league title since 1990.
Newcastle shrugged off the absence of manager Eddie Howe, who was admitted to hospital due to illness, with a second-half demolition of struggling United at St. James’ Park.
