That series included consecutive goals of the season against Manchester City and Watford, who were hailed by many as the best on the planet. The level at which Salah operated before Christmas was too simple for the defenders to live in – it was a force of nature.
Mohamed Salah, 2021/22
Started: 45 (All matches)As an alternate: 6Unused secondary: 0Objectives: 31It helps: 16 Overall season rating: 9.62
Writing history
His role in Man United 5-0 deserves his own criticism. Salah became the first player in the history of the Premier League to make three players at our friends’ house from M62 and he seemed obviously annoyed that Liverpool could not get more after Paul Pogba’s red card. These three goals came immediately after the amazing solo efforts against City and Watford respectively – both absolute works of art. It’s probably the best month a Liverpool player has ever had. Dissatisfied with Old Trafford’s heroism, the golden age continued with a thumbs up at Goodison Park. Two great finishes to sink another bitter opponent at home and raise his status in all of European football. In addition to 31 goals in all competitions, Salah also scored an impressive 16 assists. Thirteen of them came to the league, enough to win the Playmaker of the Season award in the Premier League and cancel any criticism of his selfish nature in front of goal. The productive form of goals has spread to Europe as well. Mo entered a new territory, scoring seven goals in the Champions League group stage, more than any Liverpool player in the history of the tournament. The report is particularly impressive considering the “Group of Death” label that was affixed to Group B when the draw was made. Goals against Villa, Newcastle and Chelsea followed before he was called up for international squad in January. Apart from those games he lost while in the African Cup of Nations, the only other team that did not play Salah (both in the Premier League and in Europe) was away to Southampton in the last week of the season.
Post-AFCON matches
It’s a bit hard to describe another campaign that broke a record as a two-half season, but there was a tangible change in performance when the Egyptian returned from AFCON that is worth analyzing. The grief of losing an international trophy, with the weight of a nation on its shoulders, was exacerbated by the defeat in a World Cup qualifier seven weeks later. Sadio Mane was the beneficiary in both cases. Salah’s misplaced penalty in the World Cup play-off final would have been enough to throw anyone to their feet and the national team’s failures did not in any way help his form towards the end of the season. There was, of course, also a contract-shaped cloud over his head for most of the season, an unwanted distraction for any professional who wants to produce the maximum of his potential on a weekly basis. While there is still no solution as of this writing, Liverpool fans around the world will be hoping a deal can be reached in the summer to allow Salah to flourish the way he did earlier in the season. However, it is ultimately a season that has brought many individual and collective honors. Salah became only the fourth player in the Premier League season to win three Golden Shoes, leaving him just one short of Thierry Henry’s total record (four). He also won a second PFA Player of the Year award and another Footballer of the Year award from the Football Writers Association.
What’s next?
It is an indicator of the standards he has set for himself that, despite all the individual discrimination, questions have still been asked about the form. Salah will hope to enter 2022/23 renewed and ready to step on the ground in a similar way to last season. It is worth noting that Egypt’s failure to qualify for the World Cup will give him the best part of the six-week break in November and December, a welcome bonus from Liverpool’s point of view, given the relentless nature of his program in recent years. Regardless of what happens to the state of the contract, it was a joy and a privilege to watch this man every week at the height of his strength. Having already confirmed his intention to continue next season, we can begin to look forward to more moments of brilliance as this incredible side chases all the distinctions again from the beginning. Players like him come once in a generation, appreciate it as long as it lasts. Best time: The hat-trick at Old Trafford The worst moment: Missed penalty in Leicester Role next season: The amulet once again, even more so given the imminent departure of Santo Mane