Mohamed Salah‘s first goal in eight appearances proved a record-breaking one as he leapfrogged Wayne Rooney in the Premier League charts.
The Egyptian, like many of his Liverpool teammates, has struggled for form so far this season, but he did end his long wait for a goal in style on Sunday, though it proved a consolation.
While his finish could not be celebrated in the manner it deserved, considering Liverpool’s standing in the match, the strike was Salah’s 277th goal contribution for the Reds in the Premier League.
It is the most goal involvements for a single side in the competition’s history, with Rooney previously holding the record after contributing 276 times for Man United.
Ryan Giggs (271), Harry Kane (259) and Thierry Henry (249) make up the top five, while former club captain Steven Gerrard occupies eighth spot on the list after 212 contributions.
Salah enjoyed his most productive Premier League season in the campaign just gone, scoring 29 goals and contributing 18 assists to lead Liverpool to the title.
He currently has three goals and two assists in the league this season and has notably struggled to finish chances, missing the joint-third most in the Premier League (five).
Slot has faith in Salah’s finishing
Arne Slot has twice left him out of his starting lineup in the Champions League, and spoke on the eve of the trip to Brentford that he was not concerned about Salah’s lack of goals.
“The way he trains, and when we do finishing drills, you cannot lose that,” Slot said of the No. 11’s finishing.
“The only thing is we have to keep bringing him into those positions and he has to bring himself into those positions.
“There are a lot of things that can happen when you get older, but if I can select one player who has the ball 12, 13 yards from goal and he should score that to save my reputation, I would have Mo in that position.
“Now he needs to show that he can get into those positions.”
Slot’s words offer a strong hint as to why Salah so often remains on the pitch when his form may suggest he ought to be a candidate to be substituted, as he can conjure a goal from nowhere.
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