Mohamed Salah cemented his legacy as one of the greatest players in Premier League history by breaking five records in Liverpool’s 2-0 victory over Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium. The Egyptian forward played a starring role, scoring the opening goal in the 14th minute before assisting Dominik Szoboszlai for the second just before halftime.
This dominant display not only strengthened Liverpool’s grip on the title race but also etched Salah’s name further into the history books. His performance against Pep Guardiola’s City was nothing short of exceptional, setting multiple records in the process and reaffirming his status as one of the most influential players in English football.
Salah’s Historic Performance Against Manchester City
Liverpool knew that securing three points at the Etihad would be a massive step towards winning their 20th English top-flight title. Salah wasted no time in making an impact, scoring early to put the Reds in control. The goal marked his 25th league strike of the season, further extending his lead over Erling Haaland in the Golden Boot race.
With his goal and assist, Salah made history by becoming the first player in Premier League history to both score and assist in both matches against the reigning champions in a single season. Having already tormented City in Liverpool’s 2-0 win at Anfield earlier in the season, he replicated his brilliance in the return fixture to complete a rare double.
Matching Messi and Ronaldo’s Feat
Salah’s ability to contribute consistently in front of goal places him among football’s elite. His performance against City marked the 49th time he has both scored and assisted in a single match in Europe’s top five leagues.
Mo Salah has scored and assisted in 11 Premier League games in 2024-25, the most by a player in a single season in one of Europe’s big five leagues since Lionel Messi in 2014-15 (also 11).
Wow pic.twitter.com/kHlf3zNyn5
— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) February 23, 2025
Only Lionel Messi (102 times) and Cristiano Ronaldo (65 times) have achieved this feat more often. To be in the same conversation as two of the greatest footballers of all time is a testament to Salah’s sustained excellence in front of goal and his playmaking ability.
Salah’s Away Goals Record
With his strike at the Etihad, Salah also equaled the record for the most away goals in a single Premier League season. His 16th away goal of the campaign puts him level with Kevin Phillips (1999/00) and Harry Kane (2022/23).
Scoring consistently on the road is a difficult task, but Salah has proven to be a player for big moments, delivering time and time again when Liverpool need him most. With several away games still remaining in the season, he has a strong chance of setting a new record before the campaign concludes.
First Player to Be Involved in 40 Goals in Two Different Seasons
Another milestone that fell during Salah’s stunning display was becoming the first player in Premier League history to be directly involved in at least 40 goals in two different seasons.
Mohamed Salah is the first player in Premier League history to be involved in 40+ goals in two different seasons pic.twitter.com/TLekjdV7az
— OneFootball (@OneFootball) February 23, 2025
In the 2017/18 campaign, Salah recorded 32 goals and 10 assists, while in the current season, he has already contributed 25 goals and 15 assists in just 27 matches. This highlights not only his consistency but also his ability to evolve as a player, continuing to perform at the highest level year after year.
Most Goal Involvements Against Pep Guardiola’s Teams
Pep Guardiola’s teams have dominated European football for years, yet Salah remains the one player who consistently troubles them. Following his display at the Etihad, Salah now holds the record for the most goal involvements against teams managed by Guardiola in top-flight football.
Mohamed Salah has scored nine times against Man City under Pep Guardiola.
The most of any Premier League player. pic.twitter.com/EmNPzyc5I9
— Premier League (@premierleague) February 23, 2025
He has scored nine goals and provided six assists against Guardiola’s sides, proving to be a constant thorn in the Spaniard’s tactical setup. No other player in history has caused as much trouble for Guardiola’s defenses as Salah.
Salah’s Reaction to His Record-Breaking Performance
After the game, Salah spoke about the significance of the victory and Liverpool’s title ambitions.
“It is an incredible result; it is a very hard place to come and play. They are a tough team with an incredible manager. I’m glad we won the game,” Salah said.
Speaking about his personal achievements, he remained humble, shifting the focus to Liverpool’s collective goals rather than his individual records.
“It is special to win here, especially when you are in the title race. Now we need to keep calm because sometimes the pressure comes to us,” he added.
When asked whether he is currently at his best, Salah responded, “I don’t know. It is about opinion. Maybe people prefer my first seasons or now, but I prefer now because of winning the league, helping the young players. It is special. We need another title. Me and the big guys in the team, we need another title.”
Liverpool Strengthen Their Title Grip
With this result, Liverpool extended their lead at the top of the Premier League table to 11 points over Arsenal, who are their closest challengers. With just over 10 matches remaining, the Reds are in a commanding position to reclaim the title.
Liverpool have been in sensational form this season, with Arne Slot guiding them to crucial victories in high-pressure games. Their ability to grind out results, combined with Salah’s brilliance, makes them the favorites to lift the Premier League trophy at the end of the campaign.
What’s Next for Liverpool and Salah?
Liverpool’s attention will now turn to their upcoming fixtures, as they look to maintain their momentum and close out the season on a high. They also have the League Cup final and a highly anticipated UEFA Champions League tie against Paris Saint-Germain, which will further test their credentials.
For Salah, the challenge will be to continue his red-hot form and possibly break even more records before the season ends. Given his current trajectory, it wouldn’t be surprising to see him surpass the 30-goal mark and set new benchmarks for Premier League excellence.
With Liverpool firmly in control of the title race and Salah leading the charge, the Anfield faithful can dare to dream of yet another historic season.
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