Last week, Arne Slot told reporters there is “no reason to think [Mohamed Salah] is dropping in terms of level” and referenced the longevity of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.
As if wanting to justify his manager’s words, Salah assisted twice in the subsequent 4-0 thrashing of Bayer Leverkusen. He was then electrifying in Saturday’s 2-0 defeat of Aston Villa – scoring and assisting to send the Reds five points clear at the top of the Premier League.
Not only is he not slowing down, the 32 year old may even be speeding up.
Saturday took Salah to 10 goals and 10 assists in all competitions for the season with eight and six respectively in the Premier League.
This is a goal contribution of 1.31 per 90 so far in the league – the highest of his whole career and more than in his record-breaking debut Liverpool season in 2017-18 (1.30).
The Egypt international looks really sharp and direct under Slot. His progressive carries per 90 of 3.64 is his highest since 2021-22 and his second highest since arriving in England. His carries into the penalty area per 90 of 3.36 is his highest in the Premier League.
He is also finding greater success running at players this season, with 1.68 successful take-ons per 90 his highest since 2021-22 and 51.4% of take-ons being successful his highest since 2019-20.
His ruthlessness seems to be increasing too with 58.1% of his shots in the Premier League going on target being the highest of his career.
Talk over Salah’s contract will inevitably rumble on until his future is decided, but his sparkling form and Slot’s fine start are evidently interlinked.
If he is to continue into his late 30s, providing anywhere near the output the aforementioned Messi and Ronaldo have, then surely the hierarchy at Anfield will see an extension as a priority.
Especially now he has shown he can thrive – and perhaps even improve – in the post-Jurgen Klopp era.
*All stats provided by Opta