Mohamed Salah etched his name into Premier League history once more on the first weekend of the 2025/26 season. Through his goal in Liverpool's 4-2 win against Bournemouth, the Egyptian striker became the first player to score 10 in season-openers since the competition was rebranded the Premier League in 1992/93.
A record that echoes throughout the league
The overall is quite remarkable in itself. Nobody else has managed to sustain this opening-day impact for as long a period. Since 2017, when he joined Liverpool, Salah has made the early rounds his backyard. It's ten goals in eight openers and five assists that make him the most impactful player in Premier League history in opening games.
It wasn't until 2023/24 that he failed to score, as he mustered only an assist against Chelsea. In every other season, the net rang out. It's as if Salah takes every opening season start to remind the competition that Liverpool will never lack an attacking asset.
A timeline of dependability
The series shows Salah adapting to different settings and playing at a standard that is a scarcity in elite-level soccer. In 2017/18, he scored versus Watford. During the following season, he made an impact against West Ham. In 2019/20, he provided a goal and an assist versus Norwich. In 2020/21, a hat trick against Leeds. During the subsequent season, he punished Norwich again with a goal and two assists.
In 2022/23, a Fulham strike. In 2023/24, at least an assist on Chelsea. In 2024/25, a goal and an assist on promoted Ipswich. Now in 2025/26, again a leading role on Bournemouth. This is more than mere proof of his own standard - it is evidence that he is able to be prepared anywhere: away or at home, against the stronger clubs, mid-table clubs, or lower teams, under duress or not.
Bournemouth is the favourite victim
The target today, Bournemouth, knows too well Salah's fury. The Egyptian has scored 12 times in 13 matches against the Cherries, a count which makes him their Premier League tormentor record. Only Manchester United have conceded more goals to Salah: 13 overall. But the 4-2 win over Bournemouth was not straightforward.
Liverpool labored, saw the opponent equalize through to the 42nd minute of the second period, and had to rely on Chiesa's individual talent to put away the third, then Salah's accuracy with his foot to seal the score in stoppage time. That alone makes the record stand all the more impressively: it was not an easy score, it was the one that won the match and took the three points.