Scotland international Liddell, like Salah, also a winger, was worshiped like a god at Anfield. Only three players scored more goals for the club.
It's official: with his goal tonight against Tottenham in North London, Mohamed Salah has acquired a new legendary status among the Premier League leaders.
Salah level with Liddell
It marked his 228th goal for Liverpool, putting him level with one of the most iconic and respected players to ever don the red shirt: Billy Liddell.
Billy Liddell up there with the greats
Today's generation of fans can be forgiven for not knowing much about Liddell, who represented the club 534 times from his first appearance in January 1946 to his last game in August 1960. But those who did see him play will never forget it . For many, Liddell remains one of Liverpool's greatest players, up there with Kenny Dalglish, Gerrard, Souness, Hunt… some would argue he is the best.
Take Bill Shankly's word for it: “He had everything: he was fast, powerful, could shoot with both feet and his headers were like shots from a gun. Moreover, he was as hard as granite. What a player!”
John Keith paints another striking picture of the player in his biography Billy Liddell: The Legend Who Carried the Kop (Robson Books. 2004). Liddell was strong as an ox and was a handful for most centre-backs in England's second tier. During one match, two particularly uncompromising defenders tried to take him out, bringing him down with two blistering tackles. The crowd cringed as their studs sank into Billy's leg. But Liddell simply straightened, turned and then solemnly smashed the ball into the back of the net with his other leg.
There were many times when he single-handedly carried the team and scored decisive goals – a multi-functional player who could play in any position on the park – both wings, defence, midfield. Those who saw him in action remember a palpable, tense feeling of anticipation in the stands every time Billy got the ball.
Liddell the Legend and “Liddlepool”
In the 1950s, Liverpool's wilderness years, the team was jokingly called 'Liddellpool'. And his impact still resonates at Anfield, where his banner is still held aloft on the Kop before matches to this day – 64 years after he last played for the club.
So the magnitude of Mo Salah's achievement, now level with another iconic player like Liddell, cannot be underestimated.
Salah scored the same number of goals in fewer games (372). In the top ten of all time, only Gordon Hodgson has a better goals/plays ratio. It won't be long before Mo surpasses him and reaches a new milestone.
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