Mohamed Salah’s form in front of goal since his return from the Africa Cup of Nations has been the subject of much discussion, but how do his numbers compare before and after the competition?
The standards set by Liverpool’s No.11 would see few others match, with his goals, and helps, lending itself easily to a new record or two.
But as Jurgen Klopp said, “even he is just a human being” and is fallible to a drop in form.
It’s been a trying season for Salah with his minutes for club and country combined totaling 5,106 in 60 games.
In that span, he has scored a total of 32 goals and set up another 19 for the Reds and Egypt, but how do his numbers compare before and after AFCON? We’ll take a look.
Before CAN
Games: 26 (2,252 mins)
Goals: 23
Goals per match: 0.88
Aids: 9
Assists per game: 0.35
After CAN
Games: 21 (1,503 mins)
Goals: 7
Goals per match: 0.33
Aids: 6
Assists per game: 0.28
The comparison
There’s no denying the stats of Salah’s return before AFCON compared to his numbers after the competition, even after playing five games less.
In some ways, that’s no surprise given the mental, emotional and physical toll his country suffered in both the AFCON and the World Cup qualifying loss to Senegal.
But his pressure acts and defensive actions have remained an important part of his game, but many are still waiting. that when everything falls into place for Salah once again.
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