Not only did Mohamed Salah guide Liverpool to a win in their opening game of the 2024-25 Premier League season but the Egyptian superstar also made history on Saturday.
The Merseyside giants hosted Ipswich Town in the early kick-off, with Arne Slot's men initially struggling against the newly promoted side in the Dutch manager's Premier League debut match.
However, the Reds came to life in the second half, with Salah assisting Diogo Jota to break the deadlock by the hour mark. Five minutes later the Egyptian ace got on the scoresheet, with the 32-year-old setting a fantastic record along the way.
Mo Salah's season is off and running.
— NBC Sports Soccer (@NBCSportsSoccer) August 17, 2024
The Liverpool superstar tucks it home to make it 2-0 against Ipswich Town. pic.twitter.com/3Elo6DMdM1
GOAL!
— beIN SPORTS (@beINSPORTS_EN) August 17, 2024
2-0! The Egyptian King is at it yet again! A ninth opening-day goal for Mo Salah! A brand new record. #beINPL #IPSLIV pic.twitter.com/il77TgRIrR
Mo Salah opens his account for the 2024/25 season pic.twitter.com/PFqNkAXjAW
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) August 17, 2024
That goal was Salah's ninth in the opening round of a Premier League season, overtaking icons such as Wayne Rooney, Frank Lampard, and Alan Shearer (8 goals each) for most goals on Matchday 1 of the English top-flight.
This is the former Roma winger's eighth season in the Premier League and he has failed to score in the opening round only once. That came last year in their opener against Chelsea, though he grabbed the assist for Liverpool's only goal of the game.
As a result, he has 14 goal contributions on Matchday 1 of the Premier League, a feat no other player has achieved.
9 - Mohamed Salah now has the most MD1 goals (9) and goal involvements (14) in Premier League history. Greatness. #IPSLIV pic.twitter.com/lwgpQF3auq
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) August 17, 2024
While Salah was all smiles following his Man of the Match performance, the result was what mattered most. The Reds kicked off their Arne Slot era with a much-needed win as Liverpool aim to mount a title challenge.
Manchester City and Arsenal are the two favorites, meaning the Merseyside giants must be perfect if they are to win only a second Premier League crown.