Three things on Mohamed Salah's rise to goalscoring icon

AFP Sport looks at the Egyptian's rise from Chelsea flop to Anfield icon:

Chelsea flop to 'Egyptian King'

Salah's arrival at Liverpool from Roma in 2017 for £34 million ($44 million) was not universally acclaimed at the time. He had failed to make an impact in a short spell at Chelsea, where he was cut adrift after just 19 appearances for the Blues. Even after restoring his reputation in Italy, first on loan at Fiorentina, before a permanent move to Roma, his flashes of brilliance were undermined by inconsistent finishing.

His first season on Merseyside emphatically dispelled those doubts as Salah scored 44 goals. Quickly christened the Kop's "Egyptian King", Salah propelled Liverpool to a first Champions League final in 11 years. However, that European run ended in tears and defeat as Salah was forced off after just 26 minutes with a dislocated shoulder following a controversial challenge from Real Madrid's Sergio Ramos.

Stunning stats

In his seven seasons since, Salah has always scored more than 20 goals to become the third highest scorer in Liverpool's history with 243 goals from 394 appearances. His 184 goals in the Premier League is the joint-fifth highest and his next strike will make him the competition's most prolific overseas player. Added to his eye for goal, Salah also stands among the all-time top 10 for Premier League assists on 86.

The 32-year-old is on course for arguably the best individual season in English top-flight history. Alan Shearer and Andy Cole hold the record for most goals and assists in a single Premier League season of 47. Salah is just three shy of that with seven games to go thanks to his 27 goals and 17 assists in 31 appearances.

That return has sparked debate over where he stands in the pantheon of Premier League greats. Salah could become the first man to win the Professional Footballers' Association Player of the year award for a third time this season and is on course to match Thierry Henry's record for four Premier League Golden Boots. However, it is collective glory he seeks to further his legacy.

"When you win something with the team and are scoring goals and you are involved, that's what people remember," said Salah. "Just individual awards without winning anything doesn't feel great." A second Premier League title appears just a matter of time, to add to his Champions League, FA Cup, two League Cups, Club World Cup and UEFA Super Cup as a Liverpool player.

International anguish

Salah's hero status is magnified in his homeland, even if he is yet to lead Egypt to glory at a major international tournament. Twice he has missed out in the final of the African Cup of Nations. The Pharaohs lost 2-1 to Cameroon in 2017 and had their hearts broken by Senegal in a penalty shootout in 2022.

In a clash between two superstar Liverpool team-mates at the time, Sadio Mane struck the winning spot-kick, while Salah did not even get to take one after the decision to leave him until last backfired. Salah's impact at the World Cup has been even more limited. Despite rushing back onto the field, he was a reduced force at the 2018 World Cup just weeks after Ramos' challenge left his arm in a sling.

Four years later, Egypt did not even make it to Qatar after Salah missed in another penalty defeat to Senegal in qualifying. He could have the opportunity to rectify his record at both tournaments in the not too distant future, with an AFCON in Morocco in December and January followed by an expanded 2026 World Cup. Salah will also have another landmark in his sights as his tally of 58 international goals is just nine short of Hossam Hassan's national record.