To illustrate just how difficult it is to faithfully compare these phenomenal talents just consider the far-fetched notion that Liverpool and Manchester City are open to a straight swap. Haaland goes to Anfield. Salah heads to the Etihad.
How would each fan-base feel about this?
It is very likely the red half of Merseyside would be aghast at the prospect of losing their Egyptian talisman, an attacking dervish who last December surpassed 200 goals for his club, an astounding return from just five-and-a-half seasons.
Throughout a golden period for the Reds no player has done more in rocketing Jurgen Klopp’s side into the stratosphere, always making the difference and ensuring his side remains among the favourites in the Premier League odds and a major presence on the continent.
Since arriving from Roma for £43m in 2017, Salah has scored or assisted every 92 minutes. He is a three-time winner of the Golden Boot award. He has produced so many moments of electric magic it is hard to keep track.
Moreover, he is adored by the Kop. Simply adored.
As for the Striking Viking, from breaking through as a young professional to now, Haaland consistently pushes the boundaries of what was previously considered possible from a centre-forward.
For Norway he once scored nine goals in a single match at the U20 World Cup. For Dortmund he scored 86 times in 89 matches.
Last season, his first on English soil, the 23-year-old fired 52 goals across all competitions, a staggering haul that included 36 in the league. That’s the highest tally in the Premier League era.
He’s only been at Manchester City for a relative minute and already he has converted past every top-flight club at least once.
Racking up ridiculous numbers on a seasonal basis, even referring to him as ‘generational’ undersells his prolificacy because who was the Erling Haaland from a generation before? More accurately, his output is unprecedented.
City supporters of course, are pertinently aware of this, and acutely grateful for having him in their illustrious attacking ranks. Would they swap him for Salah? Not with a small fortune attached to the deal.
Complicating this comparison further we must acknowledge that both of these remarkable players fulfil different roles.
Salah is pulsating, a symphony in red played out on fast-forward who bombs down Liverpool’s right, twisting the organs of every full-back he encounters.
Haaland meanwhile, is a number nine first and foremost. A totem. His currency is goals so he therefore spends much of his time in the box, that or playing off the last man.
Another key difference, however, gets us to within touching distance of being able to separate them.
Mo Salah is 31 years of age. He has proven his genius over and over again. Haaland is eight years his junior. His consistency can be strongly assumed but only that.
On that basis, Salah edges it but barring injury, or unimaginable loss of self, it is the City man destined to take the ultimate crown. For he will be the greatest.
Right now the Blues and their arch rivals Liverpool are neck and neck in the Premier League winner betting odds and that’s largely because they each possess an incredible resource up front.
Between them, to date, they boast 32 goals and 14 assists and we’re only now approaching the final straight. Their shot accuracy is 63% (Salah) and 60% (Haaland), astonishing figures and so close.
Their respective fan-bases wouldn’t swap them on any condition and that’s one angle to view their genius. Another is that the Premier League is extremely lucky to house them both.
*Credit for all of the photos in this article belongs to Alamy*
