Liverpool winger Mohamed Salah could hit yet another new Premier League goalscoring milestone when the Reds host Leicester City in their Boxing Day battle at Anfield.
The 32-year-old has been tormenting defences for fun throughout the 2024-25 season, despite the unwelcome distraction of his uncertain contract situation, and he broke even more records in Sunday's 6-3 pummelling of Tottenham Hotspur.
Salah had a direct hand in four of Liverpool's six efforts on the evening - two of his own and two assists - as he became the first player to both score and set up 10 goals in one Premier League season before Christmas.
The former Chelsea man has also scored and assisted at least 10 goals in six different Premier League campaigns - another unprecedented feat - strengthening his case for that lucrative new contract fans are desperate to see him sign.
Now leading the way in both the Golden Boot and Playmaker Award races with 15 goals and 11 assists this season, Salah will be chasing another landmark achievement on Thursday's festive occasion.
Salah one shy of 100 Premier League home goals
© Imago
Should the Egypt international find the back of the net against the Foxes, he will reach 100 home goals in England's top flight, a feat that only seven players have achieved before in the Premier League era.
Harry Kane, Robbie Fowler, Sergio Aguero, Thierry Henry, Alan Shearer, Wayne Rooney and Andy Cole are the seven previous players to have netted a century of Premier League goals on their own patch, but Salah could overtake a few of them in one category.
Indeed, Salah has taken 141 home games to hit 99 goals, and if he reaches the 100 mark on his 142nd, he would hit that milestone in the fourth-quickest time after Shearer (91 games), Henry (113 games) and Aguero (125 games).
Both history and the form book suggests that Salah will be celebrating his 100th Premier League home goal on December 26, as he has either scored or assisted in each of his last nine top-flight games, only failing to find the back of the net against Fulham in that time.
The winger has also had a direct hand in six goals in previous Boxing Day games - two of his own and four assists - which is also a joint-high total alongside Raheem Sterling and Son Heung-min.
Jamie Vardy also out to make history in Boxing Day clash
© Imago
Few may expect Leicester to spring a surprise against title favourites Liverpool, who are 16 places and 25 points better off in the Premier League table, especially with Jamie Vardy now a doubt due to a knock.
However, Van Nistelrooy is still holding out hope that the 37-year-old will be able to shake off his problem in time to face Arne Slot's side, describing his problem as nothing more than a short-term issue.
The veteran striker has often haunted the Reds down the years, scoring 10 goals against them in all competitions and eight in the Premier League, only inferior to Kane's nine and Cole's 11.
Vardy will be 16 days shy of his 38th birthday when Boxing Day rolls around, and if he scores at Anfield, he will become the oldest player to net a Premier League goal against Liverpool.
However, Leicester arrive on Merseyside having failed to beat Liverpool in any of their last 12 Premier League games at Anfield, last conquering the Reds in front of the Kop in 2000.
Ben Knapton
