In the 2019 Champions League Final against Tottenham, Mohamed Salah scored the opening penalty, the first goal of the night that brought the club its sixth European Cup.
That kick sums up his approach. A short run-up, one quick look at the goalkeeper, then a decisive strike into the bottom corner. There is not much in it for a keeper to read, and Salah rarely gives them the time.
The numbers from the spot
- Salah's conversion rate in the Premier League is above 85%, one of the best active records.
- He has scored more penalties than any other Liverpool player in Premier League history.
- He has won the Professional Footballers' Association Player of the Year award and the Premier League Golden Boot, with penalties adding to his tallies.
He is the complete modern forward, quick and clever in open play, and from the spot he is clinical. Goalkeepers who have faced him probably know that short run-up better than they would like to.
One of the best penalty takers playing today, the Egyptian King takes number 7 in our countdown.
Tomorrow: number 6.
