Mohamed Salah became the first player in Liverpool’s history to score in nine consecutive games when he put Atlético Madrid to the sword this week. Pundits, fans and teammates have lavished praise upon the Egyptian forward throughout his record-breaking streak in front of goal. Manager Jurgen Klopp believes he is now the world’s best player, but where does he rank in the pantheon of great strikers that have graced Anfield over the years? We have counted down the top 10 Reds forwards of all time:
1. Michael Owen
Owen won the Ballon d’Or after firing Liverpool to a famous UEFA Cup, FA Cup and EFL Cup treble back in 2001. He lit up Anfield on countless occasions with his pace, movement and finishing ability, causing nightmares for opposition defences. Owen deteriorated after leaving the club, but he was always a menace in attack for the Reds, banging in 158 goals in 297 games.
2. Gordon Hodgson
The burly South African striker is third in the all-time scoring charts for Liverpool with 241 goals in 377 games. That is a remarkable strike rate, especially when you consider how unselfish he was. Only Roger Hunt has more league goals for Liverpool, but all of Hodgson’s came in the top flight. He also holds the club record for hat-tricks with 17.
3. Fernando Torres
Torres is another player that spent his best years at Anfield. He struggled for form after Chelsea bought him for a British record fee of £50 million, but the Spaniard was sensational during his four year stint at Liverpool. He scored 65 Premier League goals in just 102 games, and 81 goals in 141 appearances in all competitions, and he was truly magnificent.
4. Luis Suárez
Suárez made little impact after coming off the bench for Atlético in their 3-2 defeat to Liverpool, but you cannot argue with his record since leaving the club. The Uruguayan won four league titles and the Champions League at Barcelona, and he led Atlético to glory in La Liga last season. He only has one league cup winner’s medal to show for his time at Anfield, but he was nevertheless a world-class player, particularly when he won the Golden Boot, PFA Player of the Year and Football Writers’ Association Player of the Year awards after scoring 31 goals in 33 games during his final season.
5. Roger Hunt
Hunt is Liverpool’s second highest scoring player of all time. He hit 285 goals in 492 games for the Reds, and he won two league titles and the FA Cup under Bill Shankly. Hunt still holds the record for the most league goals scored in a Liverpool shirt, but that record could be in jeopardy if Salah sees out his career at the club.
6. Kevin Keegan
Keegan formed a devastating partnership with big John Toshack up front for Liverpool during the 1970s. He fired in 100 goals in 323 games, which is not the most incredible strike rate, but he always entertained fans with his all-round flair and tenacity. He won three league titles, the European Cup and two UEFA Cups before leaving for Hamburg, and he ended up as a double Ballon d’Or winner.
7. Robbie Fowler
Fowler’s left foot was a weapon of mass destruction. The man nicknamed “God” by the Anfield faithful burst onto the scene by scoring 12 goals in his first 13 appearances in 1993. It was not a particularly fruitful era for the club, but Fowler’s goals were the one constant. His five-minute hat-trick against Arsenal was just one of many highlights. He also scored 30-plus goals in three consecutive seasons, and he is currently the sixth highest scoring player in Liverpool’s history.
8. Mohamed Salah
Salah’s goalscoring record since he joined Liverpool is nothing short of phenomenal. He has found the back of the net 102 times in just 153 Premier League games, and scored 137 goals in 214 appearances in all competitions. That makes him the 10th highest scorer in Liverpool’s history, but he has a better goals per games ratio than the players above him. It is all the more remarkable when you consider that he is ostensibly a winger – although he undoubtedly benefits from Roberto Firmino’s unselfish forward play – and that he often scores absolute wondergoals. He already has a Champions League and a Premier League title to his name, and the future looks bright for the Egyptian superstar, with Liverpool among the favourites in the fixed odds betting for more glory this season.
9. Ian Rush
Salah has enjoyed a remarkably prolific four years at Anfield, but he still has some way to go before breaking Rush’s all-time goalscoring record. The Welshman spent 15 seasons at the club, scoring 346 goals in 660 games. Rush won five league titles, two European Cups and three FA Cups during a trophy-laden spell on Merseyside, having spearheaded the team with aplomb throughout the 1980s and 1990s.
10. Kenny Dalglish
Many fans feared that Liverpool would struggle after Keegan left for Hamburg, but that could not have been further from the truth. Bob Paisley broke the British transfer record to sign Dalglish from Celtic in a £440,000 deal, and he was a revelation. The Scottish forward won six league titles, two European Cups, the FA Cup, four league cups and the European Super Cup during his time at Anfield. He is seventh in the all-time goalscoring charts, but his all-round contribution was extraordinary, and he is widely considered to be the greatest forward the club has ever seen. Salah may take that mantle one day, but for now, King Kenny reigns supreme.
