Liverpool glided past 10-man Leeds United by two goals to nil. However, the supposed joy that a win typically evokes was absent, with Harvey Elliott suffering a devastating injury. Pascal Struijk, as a result, was sent off for his role, albeit without any harmful intentions.
Salah, who was humming his inherently creative tune throughout, opened the scoring in the 20th minute, netting his hundredth Premier League strike. The lead was doubled in the 50th by Fabinho's scrappy strike. And just as the game drew to a close, Sadio Mane tucked away a powerful finish into the bottom right corner.
An emphatic win for Jurgen Klopp's side, but it came at a harsh price.
Leeds, on the other hand, are still waiting for their first victory of the campaign, and sit anxiously in 17th.
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Story of the game
Leeds started the game characteristically vigorous, pressing tirelessly and playing to the tempo of Elland Road's vociferous crowd. In the seventh minute, Raphinha powered forward and found Rodrigo on the edge of the box, in acres of space. The Spaniard had a free shot on goal, but it was caught easily by Alisson.
However, Liverpool came out of their shell after the 15th minute. Mohamed Salah chipped a splendid ball into Diogo Jota, who chested it down neatly. His volley was on target, but Illan Meslier gathered it well. Quality was now in abundance from the visitors.
Salah, bristling with exuberance throughout, then slotted home the opener. With Leeds' defensive organisation a mess once again, Trent Alexander Arnold's cross was able to pick out the Egyptian, who tapped in at the near post. His celebration was painted with a smile; he knew that he is now a centurion.
Leeds were still vicious, despite being 1-0 down. Patrick Bamford kept darting into wonderful positions, Raphinha kept skittering with flair into the Red's half, Kalvin Phillips kept winning the ball in midfield. But Liverpool were the side creating the better opportunities.
Liverpool's wingers were making things happen in the box. Terrific teenager Harvey Elliott took two stabs at goal, with the first blocked and the second parried out by Illan Meslier.
Towards the end of the half, Leeds found a way to have possession in the final third. A cross was thumped in from the left-hand side of the box, finding Luke Ayling, who ran onto the ball from deep. But could only send his effort over with his knee.
Just as the second half opened, Liverpool doubled their lead. A corner from Alexander-Arnold dropped wasn't cleared by Leeds' cluttered defence, and it dropped to Virgil Van-Dijk, who headed it down to Fabinho. The Brazillian miskicked his shot the first time but has a second bite at it, smashing home from six yards out.
Ten minutes later, however, the mood fell sombre. Pascal Struijk, without any harmful intentions, dived into a challenge with Elliott, with the youngster coming out of badly injured. Salah covered his eyes; it seemed a horrific injury. The physios ran on before the referee could stop play. Elliott was stretchered off, and Struijk was shown the red card.
Daniel James was subbed on later for his debut, in an effort to at least provide some form of consolation for the hosts, but it was to no avail.
The injury drained the atmosphere from the ground, and the tempo from the players. Chances were absent for the majority of the second half, until Bamford stole the ball off Thiago. He noticed Alisson off his line and attempted an audacious lob; it wasn't far off at all, with the ball being tipped over by the keeper.
And then, in added time, the game was put to bed. Fabinho received the ball inside the box and played it back to Sadio Mane, who swivelled quickly and lashed it into the bottom right corner smartly.
Liverpool will be delighted with their day's work, but they won't be desperate to celebrate, with Elliott's injury in the thoughts of Reds supporters across the globe.
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Man of the Match
Mohamed Salah
The 29-year-old superstar has now cemented his position in the Premier League hall of fame, with his hundredth goal guiding the Reds to a fantastic win. Salah was creative, energetic, skilful. He orchestrated the tempo of the game, and was, ultimately, a delight to watch.