Mohamed Salah: Is Liverpool star Premier League’s greatest forward? | Soccer News

Mohamed Salah’s announcement that he will be leaving Liverpool this summer begs the question: is he the Premier League’s greatest forward?

Here we pit Salah against 10 other iconic Premier League strikers, reflect on their top-flight heroics – and ask you to vote for the one you think is the best…

Mohamed Salah

Liverpool’s Egyptian king is a hero at Anfield. Yet, in the wake of his retirement announcement and the flood of statistics and goal clippings that followed, there is a question of whether Salah underestimated from outside.

The fact that he has more PFA Player of the Season awards than anyone in the competition’s history suggests his class has not gone unnoticed by those who have played with or against him over the years.

The four-time Golden Boot winner (only Thierry Henry can match that) may not have a trophy case bulging with team honors to the extent of some others, but his individual excellence should not be underestimated. This made him the transformative striker whose goals and assists twice took Liverpool back to the top of English football.

Thierry Henry

The Arsenal Invincible is a Premier League icon who inspired the Gunners to two Premier League victories – including that historic unbeaten title. Henry, a four-time Golden Boot winner like Salah, also holds the record for most assists in a season. And he did it all with his Va Va Voom swagger.

Alan Shearer

When it comes to goals, Shearer remains untouchable. His 260 strikes for Blackburn and Newcastle eclipse any other Premier League forward. There would have been even more if not for several significant injuries. Although he could never repeat his title success with Rovers at his beloved Newcastle, his weight of goals – and trademark celebration – makes him an everyday legend.

Cristiano Ronaldo

In his first six seasons at Man Utd, Ronaldo has transformed from a skilful, showboating winger into one of the most destructive players we’ve seen on these shores. The talent that would eventually take him into the greatest comparison of all time inspired United to three consecutive Premier League titles. His welcome homecoming in 2021 underlined his precious legacy.

Wayne Rooney

Everton’s teenage prodigy who became Man Utd’s all-time record goalscorer. A force of nature, combining skill with power and desire, the former England captain scored 208 times in two games with his boyhood club and United, won five Premier League titles and also finished fourth in the all-time assists chart.

Harry Kane

Kane took Rooney’s England goalscoring record and he would have had Shearer’s Premier League total in his sights had he not left for Bayern Munich. But while that honor and a team trophy at Tottenham eluded him, Kane’s continued brilliance at Spurs after coming through the club’s academy cemented him as one of the greatest forwards we’ve seen at this level.

Sergio Aguero

Five-time Premier League winner Sergio Aguero has a statue outside the Etihad for good reason – he was a central figure in Man City’s rise to all-conquering champions. Player of the Year in their first 2011/12 Premier League winning season when that Aguerooo moment was written in history, the Argentinian champion became City’s top scorer.

Didier Drogba

The star striker at Chelsea as they won their first league title in half a century under Jose Mourinho, Drogba would go on to inspire the Blues to three more Premier League crowns. A two-time Golden Boot winner and also the top assist producer in a season.

Erling Haaland

Man City’s goalscoring machine has smashed numerous records during his four Premier League seasons so far, scoring 107 goals in just 126 games to help the club to two titles. Having penned a long-term deal, he could be the one to finally end Shearer’s reign at the top of the goalscoring chart.

Dennis Bergkamp

Arsenal’s performer, who could create chances and goals from unlikely positions with mesmerizing finesse and skill. His goal at Newcastle in 2002 was voted the best in Premier League history and added to his talent, helping the Gunners to three league titles during his stay in north London.