'Elite mindset' - Salah hits 50th European goal for Liverpool

2025-01-22 01:24:00

Abstract: Salah scores again, securing Liverpool's CL last 16 spot. He's now Liverpool's all-time top scorer in Europe, with 50 goals. Contract talks ongoing.

Another Liverpool victory, another goal for Mohamed Salah. The Egyptian forward has now scored three goals in the Champions League this season, and a total of 22 goals in 31 appearances across all competitions. Furthermore, he has provided 17 assists for his teammates, contributing to a total of 39 goals, making him the player with the most goal involvements in Europe's top five leagues.

Salah's latest goal helped Liverpool defeat Lille and secure their place in the Champions League round of 16. He calmly chipped the ball over the onrushing goalkeeper, Lucas Chevalier, after receiving a brilliant through ball from Curtis Jones. This goal also marked his 50th for Liverpool in European competitions, with 44 coming in the Champions League, 5 in last season's Europa League, and 1 in a Champions League qualifier.

This goal further solidifies his position as the club's all-time top scorer in European competitions, and he has now scored 20 Champions League goals at Anfield. Only former Manchester City striker Sergio Aguero (23 goals at the Etihad Stadium) and former Manchester United striker Ruud van Nistelrooy (23 goals at Old Trafford) have scored more Champions League goals for an English team at a specific venue.

Former Liverpool defender Stephen Warnock stated on BBC Radio 5 Live, "Salah always has a smile on his face, and he is full of confidence in his ability to score goals. That is why he is so dangerous, and that's the mentality an elite player should have." This season, he has been directly involved in 18 goals in 15 appearances at Anfield (10 goals and 8 assists across all competitions).

Former Reds striker Robbie Fowler said on Amazon Prime, "He is a real talisman for Liverpool. He is a finisher and is very calm in front of goal. He is the type of player who, if he misses a chance, it doesn't affect him because he will score the next one. We can't speak highly enough of Mohamed Salah, and we know what he is capable of."

In an interview with Amazon Prime, Salah stated, "Hopefully, it's not the last goal, and I'm very proud of it. I wasn't focused on it before the game." The 32-year-old's long-term future at Anfield has been a hot topic, as he has yet to sign a contract extension with his current deal expiring at the end of this season.

At the end of December last year, Salah stated that an agreement between the two parties was "still far away," but former Liverpool forward Luis Garcia said that "this situation hasn't affected him." Garcia stated on Amazon Prime, "He has never said he wants to leave, and the club has never said they want him to leave. I think they are trying to keep him normal. He is scoring goals every week, so this situation hasn't affected him."