The “contract year,” in which players prove their worth ahead of free agency, is a well-known phenomenon in American sports. Salah, week after week, has been taking it to new, astronomical heights.

Liverpool continued its charge toward the Premier League title with a 2-1 win against Wolverhampton on Sunday. For Manchester United, it just keeps getting worse after a 1-0 loss at Tottenham. Victory for Liverpool restored its seven-point lead over Arsenal at the top of the table after withstanding a second-half fightback from relegation-threatened Wolves at Anfield.

Liverpool face Aston Villa on Wednesday knowing they could go 10 points clear if they win, or see their lead cut to four if they lose. The team is looking tired, but could it be the start of a wobble?