Is Liverpool’s New Front Three Better Than Salah, Mane & Firmino?

As Liverpool unveils its new attacking trio, football fans and pundits debate whether it can surpass the legendary partnership of Salah, Mane, and Firmino.

When Jürgen Klopp built his remarkable Liverpool team, Mohamed Salah became the final piece in an attacking trio that rivaled any in Europe.

With Salah on the right unleashing a storm of goals, Brazil’s Roberto Firmino showcasing his smooth skills combined with flashes of brilliance in the center and beyond, alongside Sadio Mane offering selfless excellence and threat from the left, Liverpool captured all the major trophies.

The trio formed the Reds’ versatile and relentless spearhead, and now head coach Arne Slot’s Liverpool team boasts a new three-dimensional threat reminiscent of their successful past.

Salah is the key player, with his goal in the 5-0 victory over West Ham United marking another impressive milestone: his 20th goal across all competitions this season. This achievement means he has now scored at least 20 goals in each of his eight seasons at Liverpool.

With his goal and assist, Salah has now contributed to 52 goals in all competitions in 2024—scoring 29 times and providing 23 assists. This tally surpasses that of any other player in Europe’s top five leagues.

This season, he has both scored and provided assists in eight separate Premier League games, setting a new record for the most by any player in a single campaign.

“Over the past six months, I’ve frequently heard ‘extraordinary’ used to describe Mo, and rightly so,” stated Slot. “He also puts in tremendous effort for the team.”

Now that Firmino and Mane have moved on, Slot has paired Salah with two powerful teammates inherited from Klopp. Together, they’re making this season look like a strong contender for bringing the Premier League title back to Anfield.

Each of them scored in the resounding victory at London Stadium.

Luis Diaz, who scored twice in the 6-3 victory against Tottenham a week prior to this decisive win over West Ham, got them started.

Originally signed and used as a wide player when he joined from Porto in January 2022, the Colombian is now being deployed by Slot in central areas to great effect. While he may lack Firmino’s elegance, his impact is undeniable, particularly with the improved reliability of his finishing.

On the left, we have the lanky and formidable Cody Gakpo, who has settled into his ideal position. He shone as one of the standout players for the Netherlands in Euro 2024, both scoring goals and setting them up. His knack for cutting in from the flank allowed him to make significant contributions while demonstrating an instinctive eye for finishing.

Diaz’s inclination to move into the wide areas enhances Liverpool’s attacking options. However, what truly makes them formidable is the seamless synergy between Salah, Diaz, and Gakpo—three top-tier players operating on the same wavelength.

Salah might be the star attraction currently, but he’s far from solo as Liverpool makes significant strides in the Premier League, boasting an eight-point lead heading into 2025. Additionally, they dominate the table in this season’s revamped Champions League format.