The Liverpool talisman is now above Steven Gerrard in the Reds’ all-time scoring charts and counting after his goal against Bournemouth during the 3-1 win on Saturday
Mohamed Salah’s strike against Bournemouth on Saturday has seen the Egyptian surpass Steven Gerrard’s Liverpool goal tally.
The Reds forward stepped up from the penalty spot at Anfield against the Cherries during the 3-1 win and though he saw his initial effort saved by Neto, Salah responded fastest to guide home the rebound and put Liverpool 2-1 up at the time. The goal now means the current Reds ace has bagged 187 for his side, while club icon Gerrard’s tally will forever remain 186.
It is not exactly like the former Liverpool captain didn’t see it coming, Gerrard has previously discussed Salah’s sensational form in front of goal. In fact, the ex-England international once confessed he hoped Salah would go on to “embarrass” his Champions League goal record for Liverpool.
While those remarks were strictly about his European form, Gerrard’s point still stands. Speaking back in late 2020 when Salah had just equalled his Champions League record with a goal against Atalanta, Gerrard was adamant he wanted the Egypt international to go beyond his own total.
“Records are there to be broken, of course, they are,” the then-Rangers boss explained. “I was very proud last night to see Mo Salah equal my scoring record for Liverpool in Europe, it was only a matter of time. I honestly think he’ll go on and embarrass my record — and I hope that he does.”
At the time of Gerrard’s glowing review, he was also the manager of Alfredo Morelos, who had coincidentally broken Rangers’ Champions League goal record the week before.
“Mo Salah and Alfredo Morelos go about their business always being hungry for goals,” Gerrard added. “My job for Liverpool was slightly different. There is nothing better than seeing someone going for a record and then smashing it to pieces.”
Last season, following Liverpool’s 7-0 thrashing of fierce rivals Manchester United, Salah netted twice to ensure he became the Reds’ record scorer in the Premier League. It was clearly a proud moment for the Egyptian.
“It’s very special, I can’t lie,” he told Sky Sports when asked about the record. “This record was in my mind since I came here, I think after my first year I was always chasing that record, so to break it today, against United, with that result, was unbelievable. So I’m going home to celebrate with the family, have a camomile tea and sleep!”
To better the tally of a player of Gerrard’s calibre, also factoring in the former midfielder’s standing at Anfield, is another testament to Salah’s extraordinary ability. There are unlikely to be many people more happy for the 31-year-old Egyptian than Gerrard himself.