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Salah brilliance endures, but biggest moments still debated

3 minute read

Mohamed Salah’s Liverpool legacy is undeniable, but his record in the biggest matches continues to invite scrutiny.

Liverpool's Mohamed Salah celebrates v Everton
Liverpool's Mohamed Salah celebrates v Everton Picture: AAP Image

Mohamed Salah is set to leave Liverpool at the end of the season as one of the club's greatest players, although questions remain over his impact in defining moments.

The latest scrutiny followed Liverpool's 4-0 defeat to Manchester City, where Salah missed a penalty and earlier chances as the match slipped away. The result underlined a recurring theme, his influence has not always matched expectations in high-stakes fixtures.

Salah's overall record remains exceptional. He has scored heavily against leading rivals, including 16 goals against Manchester United, 14 against Tottenham Hotspur and 10 against Arsenal, reinforcing his consistency across nine seasons.

However, his record in finals is less convincing. Across 11 major finals for club and country, Salah has scored twice, both penalties, and has not registered a goal from open play. Liverpool have reached nine finals during his time at Anfield, with his only goals coming in the 2019 Champions League final against Spurs and the 2022 Community Shield against City.

By contrast, players such as Didier Drogba built reputations on decisive contributions in finals, highlighting the difference between sustained excellence and match-defining impact.

Salah's Champions League knockout record also reflects a drop after his debut campaign. He scored five goals during the 2017-18 run to the final but has not exceeded three in any season since, with five knockout goals in total since 2020-21.

Liverpool's rivalry with City has often carried title implications. While Salah has 13 goals against City, his performances in several key matches have been less influential.

At 31, his style remains reliant on movement and finishing rather than control of tempo. As those physical attributes decline, his ability to shape matches without scoring appears more limited compared to peers such as Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo.

With only a handful of matches remaining before his expected departure, Salah still has opportunities to add to his legacy. Regardless, his record suggests a player of remarkable consistency, though one whose impact in the biggest moments may fall just short of the game's very highest tier.


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