When Mohamed Salah arrived at Anfield in 2017, there were doubts. Could a winger who had struggled in his first spell in England truly dominate the Premier League? Eight years later, the Egyptian forward has not only answered that question but has gone on to etch his name into history books with a record no player before him has achieved. By winning the PFA Players’ Player of the Year award for the third time, Salah has secured a place in English football’s elite beyond debate.
The 2024/25 campaign will be remembered as one of the most complete in Salah’s career. His statistics; 29 league goals and 18 assists are staggering on their own. But what makes them stand out is the timing and consistency. He delivered in games where Liverpool needed leadership, finding breakthroughs in tight matches and creating chances when others ran out of ideas.
That influence was felt across the league table, where Liverpool finished 10 points clear of Arsenal. Much of that gap can be traced back to Salah’s relentless drive. His goals pulled Liverpool through difficult stretches, his assists unlocked stubborn defences, and his presence gave the team a focal point around which their attack revolved.
Individual accolades came thick and fast. Salah not only won the Golden Boot as the Premier League’s top scorer, but also claimed the Playmaker of the Season award for most assists. Add the Premier League Player of the Season prize, and he became the first player in history to win all three major Premier League individual awards in the same campaign.
That clean sweep placed him in uncharted territory, separating him from legends of the league who have dazzled in bursts but never dominated every attacking metric at once.
While league awards carry weight, the PFA Players’ Player of the Year has a different significance. It is a prize voted for by fellow professionals — the men who share the pitch with Salah, who prepare for him, who double-mark him, and still struggle to contain him. To be chosen by peers is to be recognised not for popularity or headlines, but for genuine respect.
By winning it in 2018, 2022, and now 2025, Salah stands alone. Cristiano Ronaldo, Thierry Henry, Gareth Bale, and Kevin De Bruyne each won it twice. Salah now surpasses them all, the only player to have lifted it three times.
Liverpool’s success at the PFA awards was not limited to Salah. The club dominated the Team of the Year, with Salah joined by Virgil van Dijk, Alexis Mac Allister, Ryan Gravenberch, and Milos Kerkez. It was evidence of a collective resurgence under Jürgen Klopp, but Salah’s role as the spearhead was impossible to ignore. He was not merely part of Liverpool’s success; he was its defining figure.
For African football, Salah’s achievement carries deep resonance. Few players from the continent have reached such heights in Europe. While George Weah, Didier Drogba, and Samuel Eto’o broke barriers, Salah has consistently maintained world-class standards over nearly a decade in the most competitive league in the world. His third PFA award is not just a personal triumph; it is a symbol of African excellence on the biggest stage.
What makes Salah’s 2025 award even more significant is its timing. At 33, many forwards begin to fade. Salah, instead, continues to evolve. He has adapted his game, balancing explosive runs with measured positioning, combining sharp finishing with creative passing. His ability to remain decisive year after year speaks to not just talent, but discipline and professionalism.
The question of whether Salah belongs among Liverpool’s greats has long been answered. The question now is where he stands in the hierarchy of Premier League history. With over 150 league goals, multiple titles, and three PFA awards, he is not merely one of the best foreign imports, but one of the greatest players the league has ever seen.
Final Word
Mohamed Salah’s third PFA triumph is more than an individual accolade. It is a reflection of consistency, resilience, and excellence sustained across nearly a decade in English football. In surpassing legends and carving out new territory, he has redefined what it means to dominate the Premier League.
For Liverpool, for Africa, and for the game at large, Salah’s legacy is now secure. He is no longer just the king of Anfield. He is the benchmark against which future greats will be measured.
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