MY ACCOUNT
As Manchester City stay on track to run away with the Premier League title, Mohamed Salah appears primed to do the same in the Golden Boot race.
The Egyptian has netted 16 goals already for Liverpool this term and is four clear of team-mate Diogo Jota in second.
But is it a given that Salah takes home the accolade again in May? We assess the runners and riders.
Salah the leader
The smart money is on Salah continuing to lead the charts and take home his third Golden Boot in just five seasons at Liverpool.
He started the campaign in prolific form and netted 10 goals in his opening nine games, including a hat-trick at Manchester United.
Despite missing two games for the Africa Cup of Nations, expect the Reds’ No11 to bag plenty more before the season is over, with a home clash against strugglers Norwich on Sunday his next chance to add to his tally.
Former Kop hero Fernando Torres recently said: “You’re always talking about individual awards for players when they win trophies at the same time.
“But I think he has been one of the best two or three players in the world in the past five or six years. It’s amazing, the consistency.”
Realistic contenders
Liverpool have often had two players in the race for the Golden Boot in recent seasons and Diogo Jota looks to be the man to step forward to challenge Salah this term.
He has 12 goals for the Reds and continues to look like one of the smartest Premier League buys of the past decade.
Jota’s issue will be continuing to get as many goalscoring opportunities with Salah, Sadio Mane, Roberto Firmino and new signing Luis Diaz all vying for spots up front.
Raheem Sterling’s hat-trick at Norwich means he is currently Manchester City’s leading scorer in the top flight, reaching 10 for the campaign.
But like Jota, his chances of success are dependent on how much football he plays.
The England striker is on fire at the moment but the Champions League could quickly become a priority and Pep Guardiola loves to rotate his City starting XI.
Best of the rest
There are three players a further goal back on nine — though all will find it tough to catch Salah.
One is Cristiano Ronaldo, who got back on the goal trail with the opener against Brighton last night.
His brilliant finish against the Seagulls was a reminder of his ability and if United get on a run, Ronaldo is the sort of player who can score plenty of goals in double quick time.
Heung-Min Son also has nine strikes to his name but with Tottenham struggling on the pitch, closing a seven-goal gap to Salah looks a tall order.
Jamie Vardy would have also been in the conversation but a hamstring injury has stopped him playing any football in 2022 so far.
One-horse race
Beyond the leading candidates, there are a plethora of other names regularly finding the net.
West Ham duo Jarrod Bowen and Michail Antonio both have eight, with the likes of Emmanuel Dennis, Bruno Fernandes and Emile Smith Rowe also high in the rankings.
However none of these forwards are hitting the same heights as Salah.
That is why the Anfield hero is likely to win this race once more.
