- Salah has matched Didier Drogba as the Premier League’s top African goal scorer
- Sadio Mane played an important role in Liverpool’s Premier League and Champions League triumphs
- Mohamed Sissoko was once regarded as the “next Vieira” during his stint at Liverpool
Liverpool has seen many talented players grace its squad, but few have had the impact of the top African stars who have donned the famous red shirt. These players have not only left their mark on the club but have also become icons in the Premier League.
Here’s a look at five of the top African players who have made a significant impact at Liverpool.
Mohamed Salah
Initially struggled to make his mark at Chelsea, Mohamed Salah has become one of the Premier League’s most formidable players since returning to England with Liverpool.
After rediscovering his scoring touch in Italy with Fiorentina and AS Roma, Salah returned to the Premier League and has since won two consecutive Golden Boots at Anfield. His influence cannot be over-emphasized as Liverpool reached two Champions League finals, scoring in their 2019 victory over Tottenham Hotspur. Salah’s consistency was also vital during Liverpool’s 2020 Premier League title win.
On the international stage, he played a pivotal role in Egypt's run to the Africa Cup of Nations final in 2017 and guided them to the 2018 World Cup finals. Remarkably, he has now matched Didier Drogba as the Premier League’s highest-scoring African player.
Sadio Mane
Arriving at Anfield in 2016 from Southampton for £36 million, Sadio Mane has proven to be an incredible signing.
Although his early seasons were marred by injuries, suspensions, and the Africa Cup of Nations, Mane won over the Liverpool faithful with his creativity and sharpness in attack. He claimed the Premier League Golden Boot, was instrumental in Liverpool’s Champions League triumph, and played a key role in their long-awaited Premier League victory in 2020.
Additionally, Mane has joined the exclusive Premier League 100 club (an elite few, consisting of players who have managed to score 100 goals or more in the Premier League since it began in 1992), further cementing his status as one of the league’s elite forwards.
Kolo Toure
Kolo Toure’s brief stint at Liverpool saw him help the team reach the Europa League final before moving to Celtic to reunite with Brendan Rodgers. Toure is remembered as one of Africa’s greatest defenders, having been part of Arsenal’s Invincibles, a Premier League winner with Manchester City, and an African Cup of Nations champion with Ivory Coast.
His international career was equally distinguished, as he represented Ivory Coast in their first-ever World Cup in 2006 and also played in the 2010 and 2014 tournaments.
Mohamed Sissoko
The strong and versatile midfielder Mohamed Sissoko enjoyed success at Valencia, where he won the Spanish League, the UEFA Cup, and the Super Cup before moving to Liverpool. Despite being dubbed the “next Vieira,” his progress at Anfield was hampered by an eye injury and the arrival of Javier Mascherano.
Sissoko eventually moved on, winning the French league with Paris Saint-Germain and finishing third with Mali in the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations.
El Hadji Diouf
A two-time African Footballer of the Year, El Hadji Diouf arrived at Liverpool in 2002 after starring for Senegal during their remarkable run to the World Cup quarter-finals. Despite showing flashes of brilliance, including an impressive performance in a League Cup final win over Manchester United, Diouf failed to live up to expectations at Anfield.
His clashes with Steven Gerrard and fans led to his departure, and although he played for clubs like Bolton Wanderers, Sunderland, Blackburn Rovers, and Glasgow Rangers, he never quite reached the heights expected.
I just want to enjoy final year of my contract - Liverpool star sends shockwaves to fans
Previously, TheRadar reported that Mohamed Salah’s contract at Liverpool is set to expire at the end of the season, the 32-year-old forward is entering a critical phase in his career. Despite his contract situation, Salah has yet to commit to a new deal, fueling rumours about his future at Anfield.
The Reds rejected a £150 million bid from Al-Ittihad last September, which shows how important Salah is to the team.
