**Mohamed Salah is Elevating His Game – Liverpool Must Retain Him** Forward Mohamed Salah has once again demonstrated his exceptional talent, becoming the first player in Europe’s top five leagues to achieve double figures for both goals and assists in all competitions this season. Since joining Liverpool in 2017, Salah has consistently been a standout performer, contributing significantly to the team's success both domestically and internationally. His remarkable ability to score and create goals has made him a vital asset for the Reds. In recent discussions about football statistics, it has become almost routine to hear the phrase, “Only Mohamed Salah…” as he continues to set benchmarks in attacking performance. His ongoing improvement and impact on the pitch highlight the importance of keeping him at Liverpool for the foreseeable future.

**Signing Roberto Firmino: Data, Repeat Viewings, and a Gut Feeling** In an excerpt from the book *How to Win the Premier League*, Ian Graham shares the story behind Liverpool's acquisition of Brazilian forward Roberto Firmino in 2015. As I prepared for my first day as the director of research at Liverpool in 2012, I found it hard to sleep. This was the club I had supported since childhood. The new ownership had demonstrated a commitment to a data-driven approach in baseball, and I was excited to work alongside Eddy [Michael Edwards] again. Our combined expertise—his deep understanding of player analysis from his time as a video analyst and my focus on data—promised to make us a formidable force in the transfer market. Eddy had also brought in Barry Hunter and Dave Fallows from Manchester City to revamp Liverpool’s scouting department. However, things took an unexpected turn right from the start. Before I and the other new hires could begin, Liverpool needed to find a replacement for manager Kenny Dalglish. The decision came down to Brendan Rodgers or Roberto Martínez. Ultimately, Brendan was selected as the stronger candidate. At the same time, Fenway Sports Group (FSG) was looking for a director of football to succeed Damien Comolli. The search was abruptly cut short when Brendan, on his first day, made a bold statement in a media interview: “I am better when I have control … I wouldn’t directly work with a director of football … If you want to have a sporting director, get him in and then you can pick your manager from there but if you do I won’t be the manager.” This set the stage for a challenging yet transformative period for Liverpool as we navigated the complexities of player recruitment and management.