Magic Mo proves he is still the best in class with record 300th goal-involvement in Reds’ opener

Since his arrival to the Premier League back in 2017, Mohamed Salah has continually proven himself as one of the greatest ever players to light up the division. The Egyptian winger has been the most integral part of Liverpool’s success throughout the last seven years, helping them win the Champions League in 2019 (and reach two other finals in 2018 and 2022), an FA Cup, an EFL Cup, a UEFA Super Cup, a FIFA Club World Cup and of course a memorable title triumph in 2019/20. 

Salah’s consistency in both the league and Europe has been almost bewildering. If Liverpool win, it is extremely rare for the 32-year-old not to score, and following a summer dominated by talk of his potential exit – with rumours of a mega-money bid tabled by the Saudi Pro League thought to prize him away after the departure of Jurgen Klopp – Reds fans will be ecstatic that their star man is remaining in situ for yet another campaign as the Arne Slot era begins. 

With injury niggles becoming a little more apparent for the African and a slight dip in form towards the end of last season, many thought that Salah’s best days were behind him. While there may be a hint of truth around that – unsurprising given he is now into his early-thirties and naturally starting to head down the hill rather than up it – Salah’s performance in Saturday’s opening day 2-0 victory over Ipswich was a stark reminder of his undeniable brilliance and importance. 

During a potential banana skin tie, where Liverpool travelled to the atmospheric Portman Road – a ground they rarely frequent due to Ipswich’s long-standing tenure in the EFL prior to this season – for an early televised lunchtime fixture, the script could have easily been flipped. David has toppled the goliath on many occasions throughout Premier League history, not least on the opening day of a new season with the whole world watching. But Liverpool’s professionalism and, ultimately, their typically emphatic quality saw three points obtained under little duress. 

Salah was – once again – the key cog turning the screw for the entirety of the 2-0 win in Suffolk, registering his 299th and 300th goal involvement in a Red shirt after setting up Diogo Jota for Liverpool’s opener on the hour mark before finding the back of the net himself just moments later. The former Roma wide man has now scored 212 goals and laid off 88 assists for his beloved club in 350 all-competition appearances – no player has more goal involvements in Premier League history. He is Liverpool’s third-highest ever goalscorer behind the legendary figures of Roger Hunt (262 in 451 games) and Ian Rush (339 in 653 games) having made significantly less appearances. 

Liverpool’s opener was by far the goal of the weekend. A move swooped straight from the training ground, which saw a series of forensically precise passes coupled by mesmerising movement, resulted in Salah teeing up Jota for a tap-in the Portuguese was never going to squander. With almost an hour on the clock and the deadlock yet to be broken, the Reds were heading into ‘squeaky bum’ territory before their main attractions combined to ease the tension. Of course Salah, so often Liverpool’s saviour, was involved. 

Five minutes later, the Egyptian turned from provider to finisher after a trademark run off the defender’s shoulder saw him prod home from close range to seal an opening day win for the Merseysiders, who will have quiet aspirations of another title challenge this season. Salah has now scored 9 goals on the opening day of a new Premier League campaign – no player has more.

Liverpool have been ghosts during this summer’s transfer window, bringing in no new signings under Arne Slot. While there is still a bit of time before the market closes and that could well potentially change, having players of such reliability to call upon will always make them a threat irrespective of their dealings in the window. 

Salah’s name is tattooed firmly at the top of that list and this weekend he reminded us all that he’s still as hungry and determined as ever when it comes to helping his team on the big stage. Doubters tend to only fuel the elite – it is foolish to ever cast it over a player like Magic Mo.