Can Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah break Thierry Henry’s Premier League record as he approaches this scoring milestone?

Salah and Henry: A Tale of Two Premier League Icons

When it comes to assembling an all-time Premier League XI, few names are as prominent as Mohamed Salah and Thierry Henry. Both players have etched their names into the annals of football history, leaving an indelible mark on their respective clubs. They have inspired their teams to a plethora of trophies while shattering numerous records along the way.

Thierry Henry, the French maestro, graced the Premier League with his presence during two memorable spells at Arsenal. Over the course of 258 appearances, he led The Gunners to two Premier League titles and clinched the Golden Boot an astonishing four times. His flair, speed, and clinical finishing made him a nightmare for defenders and a hero for fans alike.

On the other hand, Mohamed Salah has been nothing short of sensational since his arrival at Liverpool in 2017. The Egyptian forward played a pivotal role in securing the Reds’ first Premier League title in three decades, while also inspiring them to a Champions League triumph in Madrid. His individual accolades include being named the PFA Players’ Player of the Year on two occasions, a testament to his extraordinary talent and consistency.

Yet, despite Salah’s impressive achievements, there remains one record that eludes him—one that Henry holds with pride. The Frenchman is the only player in Premier League history to score over 20 goals and provide 20 assists in a single season, a feat he accomplished during the 2002/03 campaign.

Henry’s Record-Breaking Season

In that remarkable season, Henry finished with 24 goals and 20 assists. While he may not have claimed the top scorer title—losing out to Ruud van Nistelrooy by the narrowest of margins—his contributions were nothing short of legendary. His performances earned him the PFA Players’ Player of the Year award, and he scored one of the season’s standout goals against Tottenham in November 2002, a moment that remains etched in the memories of football fans.

Since then, very few players have come close to matching Henry’s extraordinary record. In fact, it was arguably Henry himself who came closest during the 2004/05 season. Despite Chelsea’s dominance that year, the World Cup winner showcased his brilliance with an impressive tally of 25 goals and 14 assists.

Before Henry’s record-breaking exploits, Andy Cole and Alan Shearer also flirted with greatness, each recording 34 goals and 13 assists in the 1993/94 and 1994/95 seasons, respectively. However, these feats were achieved in an era when the Premier League featured 22 teams, making Henry’s achievement all the more remarkable.

Can Salah Break the Record?

As the current season unfolds, Salah appears determined to challenge Henry’s long-standing record. With 16 goals and 11 assists already to his name from just 17 league appearances, the Liverpool winger is on a mission. With 21 games still remaining in the league, he has a genuine opportunity to not only match but potentially surpass the Arsenal legend’s remarkable tally.

If Salah maintains his current scoring and assisting rate and features in all remaining fixtures, he could finish the season with an astonishing 36 goals and 25 assists. Not only would this see him eclipse Henry’s record, but he is also just three goals shy of overtaking the Frenchman on the all-time Premier League scoring charts.

With Liverpool flying high in the league and Salah eager to secure a contract extension, there is every reason to believe that he could achieve this monumental feat. The stage is set for a thrilling conclusion to the season, and all eyes will be on Salah as he aims to carve his name even deeper into Premier League folklore.