Mohamed Salah’s Spectacular 2023/24 Season
With an assist for Alexis Mac Allister’s goal and a goal of his own in the second half, Mohamed Salah has moved to 23 Premier League goal contributions away from home this season. This impressive tally has already broken Andrew Cole’s record of 21 goal involvements in the 1993/94 season, an era when teams played 42 games, giving Salah two extra away games to shine. More startling is the fact that Salah has achieved this in just 13 away games, with six more matches still to come. Let’s delve deeper into some of the records Salah has already broken and what he could achieve by the end of May.
Liverpool’s Remaining Away Games
Before we explore the potential records, it’s crucial to understand Liverpool’s remaining away fixtures in the Premier League. This season, Liverpool will face:
- Aston Villa – Wednesday, February 19
- Manchester City – Sunday, February 23
- Fulham – Saturday, April 5
- Leicester City – Saturday, April 19
- Chelsea – Saturday, May 3
- Brighton & Hove Albion – Sunday, May 18
While one match is against a relegation-threatened team (Fulham), the others are against sides currently sitting between 4th and 10th in the table. Liverpool’s push for the Premier League title under manager Arne Slot adds an extra layer of intensity to these matches. Some of these dates might shift depending on Liverpool’s European progress.
Breaking More Premier League Records
Salah has already set a new benchmark for goal contributions away from home, but he has a chance to break more records individually. The current record for the most away goals in a Premier League season is 16, jointly held by Kevin Phillips (1999/2000 for Sunderland) and Harry Kane (2022/23 for Tottenham Hotspur). Salah is currently on 14 goals, just two shy of the record, and he has done this in just 13 games. For comparison, the players tied with him have taken 17 matches or more.
In terms of assists, the record is 11, set by Cesc Fabregas for Chelsea in 2014/15. Salah is currently on nine assists, two behind the record. Seven other players are tied with him, but they have all played a minimum of 18 away games. A notable mention goes to Muzzy Izzet, who recorded 10 assists in just 15 games for Leicester City in 2003/04, despite the team’s relegation. Given Salah’s exceptional form and the six games left, he has a strong chance to obliterate these records.
Records to Break Across Europe
Salah’s achievements are not just significant in the Premier League; they also place him in the top echelons of European football when compared to the ‘big five’ leagues since 2006/07. Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo dominate the list. Messi recorded 31 goal contributions (24 goals and 7 assists) in 17 La Liga away matches in 2012/13, while Ronaldo matched this with 23 goals and 8 assists in 18 games for Real Madrid in 2014/15. Luis Suarez’s 2015/16 season at Barcelona is the only other inclusion alongside Salah.
For Salah to match these records, he needs to score or assist seven more goals in his final six matches. Even then, he would still sit behind Messi and Ronaldo due to having played more games. To secure the record, he would need to achieve eight more contributions. This is a formidable challenge, but given his current form, it is not impossible. Salah has a genuine chance to create his own piece of history.
Salah’s Performance Under Klopp
It’s intriguing to compare Salah’s current form with the best away performances by Liverpool players under former manager Jurgen Klopp. Under Klopp, Liverpool were often seen as a team that thrived away from home, as home sides would attack more, leaving space for Klopp’s high-octane style. However, Salah’s stats this season have already surpassed the best away performances by any player under Klopp. In 2021/22, Salah himself set the record with 18 combined away goals and assists.
This season, Liverpool’s form away from Anfield has been remarkable. They are top of the Premier League away table by a significant eight points and are unbeaten. Additionally, they have scored 10 more goals than any other side away from home. In contrast, their home form is second, two points behind Arsenal, and they are only the joint-fourth highest scorers. This quirk under Slot’s management adds an extra dimension to the title race and highlights Salah’s pivotal role in Liverpool’s success.
The Road Ahead
As Liverpool continues its title push, Salah’s performances will be a key factor. With six away matches remaining, each game presents an opportunity for him to break more records and solidify his place in football history. The matches against high-caliber teams like Manchester City and Chelsea will be particularly crucial, as they will test Salah’s mettle and Liverpool’s title credentials. Regardless of the outcomes, Salah’s 2023/24 season has already etched his name in the annals of football history, and the possibilities for what he can achieve in the remaining fixtures are truly exciting.
