Mohamed Salah continues to etch his name deeper into Liverpool folklore — and now he stands level with one of the club’s greatest ever icons. The Egyptian forward has matched Steven Gerrard’s Premier League assist record for Liverpool, with both legends now sitting on 92 assists for the Reds, following Liverpool’s vital 1–0 victory over Sunderland at the Stadium of Light.
The historic moment came in the second half when Salah delivered a perfectly weighted corner kick that was powerfully headed home by Virgil van Dijk, securing all three points for Arne Slot’s side in a tense and hard-fought encounter in the North East. The goal proved decisive in a match that carried significant importance in the race for Champions League qualification, especially with Manchester United and Chelsea both dropping pointsearlier in the week.
Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard, speaking as a pundit on TNT Sports, reacted with pride, humour and inevitability to seeing his long-standing record matched by Salah.
“It’s brilliant for him,” Gerrard said. “He should actually be going ahead of me tonight. He put in a brilliant ball for Hugo Ekitike at the weekend and he missed a sitter. I’m sure Mo will be disappointed he hasn’t gone one clear already — and I’m sure he’ll remind me!”
The comment captured both the respect Gerrard holds for Salah and the growing sense that the Egyptian’s relentless consistency will soon carry him beyond the former captain in yet another Liverpool milestone. Since arriving at Anfield, Salah has not only redefined goal-scoring standards but has evolved into one of the most complete attacking players in the club’s modern history, combining elite finishing with elite creativity.
Interestingly, Salah’s influence against Sunderland did not come through dominant open-play performances. He was largely contained for long periods, often crowded out by Sunderland’s defensive structure. But champions make the difference when it matters most — and Salah’s delivery from a dead-ball situation proved decisive, underlining his ability to shape games even when space is limited.
Van Dijk’s commanding header not only sealed the win but also highlighted Liverpool’s growing threat from set pieces, while the Dutch defender once again delivered a leader’s performance at the back. Alongside Ibrahima Konaté, Andy Robertson and Wataru Endo, Liverpool kept a clean sheet in a disciplined defensive display. Although Endo was forced off on a stretcher, the overall solidity of the unit ensured Sunderland rarely found clear openings.
For Arne Slot, the result represented more than just three points. Coming after a short recovery period and a demanding fixture schedule, the performance showed resilience, depth, and mental strength — qualities essential in a tight top-four battle.
Slot praised Salah’s achievement and openly acknowledged that Gerrard’s record is unlikely to last much longer.
“He has so many records for this club,” Slot said. “But to have this one combined with such a great player like Steven Gerrard means a lot. Both were unbelievable players for Liverpool. Unfortunately for Steven, I expect Mo to go above him — I don’t just expect it, I hope it happens.”
The Liverpool head coach also highlighted the collective character of the team, particularly the intensity and work rate shown after limited rest.
“This win was very important,” Slot added. “We had only two days of recovery and then had to go to a difficult away game. But we showed again how well we can play on the ball, how many opportunities we can create, and the character we have as a group. That’s why we leave here with a 1–0 win.”
The victory strengthens Liverpool’s position in the Champions League race and reinforces the belief that Slot’s side is finding the balance between control, resilience, and efficiency — even in games where fluency is not always present.
As for Salah, matching Gerrard’s record feels less like a destination and more like a checkpoint. His trajectory suggests the record will soon belong to him alone, adding another historic milestone to a career already filled with them.
And when that moment comes, one thing seems certain — Steven Gerrard will get that message.