Mohamed Salah: 'A tiger that does not roar is mistaken for a kitten'

This was certainly what many fans thought about Mohamed Salah before he shone in the match against Aston Villa. A Salah considered past his prime and aging has now revived brilliantly to reaffirm his status as a top star.

The victory over Aston Villa ended Liverpool’s losing streak in the Premier League and marked a psychological breakthrough for both the team and Salah himself. Under heavy pressure at Anfield, the familiar hero Mohamed Salah finally spoke up, proving the caliber of a great star, a leader who carries responsibility and pride for the Reds.

The 2-0 win against Aston Villa strongly confirmed that Liverpool can overcome difficulties; Salah was the one who ignited the first spark of hope. His opening goal in injury time of the first half, although coming from an unexpected gift by goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez, was hugely significant for Salah personally. It was his 250th goal for Liverpool across all competitions.

Salah’s Perfect Performance

Salah’s excellence against Aston Villa earned him the highest match rating of 8.1. This proved the sharpness he had lost during the previous period, which made many start to question whether he was declining. But perhaps under pressure, Salah exploded spectacularly. Statistics show that against Villa, the Egyptian forward was a constant threat on the right wing: Salah completed the most successful dribbles in the match (4 times).

Notably, Salah’s value was clearly reflected in the statistics. His expected goals (xG) in the match was 0.18, but the expected shots on target reached 0.52. Salah’s regained form and scoring touch were key factors contributing to Liverpool’s victory. More importantly, this win came from a remarkably smooth-running system. Compared to the poor previous matches, for the first time this season, Liverpool looked like champions with a powerful midfield connecting defense to attack, and the center-back pair Van Dijk - Konate returned to top form despite earlier exposing fatal weaknesses. The Kop controlled 54% possession, took 16 shots in total, 4 on target, creating 3 clear chances.

The milestone of 250 goals has etched Mohamed Salah into Liverpool’s history. He became the third player in the club’s history to reach this extraordinary achievement, behind only two greatest legends: Ian Rush (346 goals) and Roger Hunt (285 goals). This accomplishment solidifies Salah’s status as one of the greatest forwards ever at Anfield.

Salah’s greatness extends beyond the club level. The goal against Aston Villa allowed him to equal Wayne Rooney’s remarkable record for the most goal involvements in the Premier League for a single club. Specifically, with 188 goals and 88 assists for Liverpool, totaling 276 goal contributions, Salah has proven his durability and consistent scoring ability over many seasons, confirming the Egyptian striker’s elite class.

Salah Returns, Will Liverpool Follow?

Salah’s post-match comments showed his continued desire to contribute and readiness to do everything for Liverpool.“It’s an incredible feeling to score and win trophies for Liverpool. That’s something I never take lightly. I’m extremely proud of what I have achieved and continue to achieve.”

More importantly, amid the club’s transitional phase and adaptation to changes, Salah demonstrated leadership. He acknowledged this season has been challenging with several new players and the loss of some key ones: “We need time to adjust and understand each other’s style, and everything will be fine.”

The 2-0 victory over Aston Villa to return to the title race was a vital morale boost for coach Arne Slot and his team after a crisis period. It also served as necessary preparation for the difficult phase ahead, as they face Real Madrid in the UEFA Champions League qualifiers and the formidable Man City in the 11th round of the Premier League.

The 7-point gap to league leaders Arsenal is not small, but the season is still long, with several rounds left in the first half. Clearly, nothing is impossible to overcome. What matters is that Arne Slot’s players must keep their confidence and maintain their hunger for victory.

As mentioned, within just one week, Liverpool will face two very strong opponents, Real and Man City. This will again test Liverpool’s resilience and spirit. If they succeed, especially by defeating Man City, Liverpool will have hope to surpass Arsenal at the end of the season and defend their Premier League title. Hopefully, the “dawn” has come for Liverpool, not just a fleeting glimpse of light...