Race Is On: Will Salah Break Henry’s Assist Record This Season?

LONDON, England — As the 2024-25 Premier League season approaches its conclusion, Mohamed Salah of Liverpool has emerged as a serious contender to break Thierry Henry‘s long-standing record for assists in a single season. Currently, Salah stands at 15 assists with 12 matches remaining, just five behind Henry’s record of 20, set in the 2002-03 season.

The 24-year-old Salah, lauded for his current form, has dazzled with his playmaking ability, resembling a vintage Henry in his prime. After suffering an injury setback earlier in the season, Salah has managed to sustain his performance, making significant contributions alongside his scoring streak.

“When you look at my career, if you see my goals, you saw rage. You rarely saw me smiling. Look at my assists; I smile. I prefer an assist than a goal,” Henry remarked in December, echoing sentiments that demonstrate his appreciation for playmaking versus goal-scoring.

This season, Arsenal‘s Bukayo Saka reached 10 assists by November, showing promise to challenge the record himself until his unfortunate injury sidelined him. Saka’s pace and skill had put him right in contention, but Salah’s resurgence coupled with his healthy track record places him at the forefront.

Additionally, Manchester City’s Kevin De Bruyne, who also matched Henry’s record in the 2019-20 season, is a crucial player to watch. De Bruyne’s consistency in providing assists makes it clear that Salah must maintain his momentum if he hopes to surpass both stars. Currently, De Bruyne follows Salah with six assists this season, ranking third behind Saka.

“I’ve got two more. You guys took two away from me, I’m still claiming that one. For me, I was already above the record,” De Bruyne said after tying with Henry, indicating his agenda to reclaim a leading assist role.

As the competition heats up, Salah’s current form features key elements like creating significant chances, solidifying his role at Liverpool. His assists continue to shine, with notable contributions making him a critical player in Liverpool’s 2024-25 title chase.

Since December, Salah has demonstrated his worth, significantly impacting matches with key plays. With performances that involved dazzling assists against teams like Chelsea, Fulham, and Everton, Salah’s reputation has only grown. He has completed over 298 progressive passes this season, highlighting his game-changing potential.

In the grand scheme, Salah’s impact this season also stacks up against Henry’s legendary standard. Henry delivered multiple assists in five matches back in 2003, showing his unique ability to elevate team performance. However, Salah has also matched this mark with three multiple-assist matches thus far this season.

The pressure mounts as Liverpool draws nearer to the finish line, competing fiercely against current league leaders. Should Salah continue to produce assists at his current rate while staying healthy, the record may very well fall. Meanwhile, Arsenal’s strong young wing options, paired with Salah’s creative flair, make this assist race more dynamic than ever.

As the days count down towards the Bundesliga conclusion, football fans around the world eagerly anticipate who will write their name in history—Thierry Henry or Mohamed Salah.