🔗 Share this article

It's been some time, but the Egyptian star returned playing the main part recently with a brace in Morocco that secured the Egyptian team's place at the 2026 World Cup. The key player claiming center stage once more. Liverpool must have him to keep that position.

Reasons for Unsteady Performances

We see several factors why variable, unconvincing showings have been the common thread defining the team's start to their title defence, if they achieved a winning streak or, before the Red Devils' visit to Anfield on the weekend, a losing run. The turmoil from so many offseason moves, the coach's hunt for his best XI, the late forward's tragic death; Salah has endured the consequences of them all during his atypically subdued opening to the season.

The Weekend's Key Fixture

Sunday's big match could offer the impetus for the source of a impressive 16 scores in 17 games for the club against Manchester United, who are making their 100th visit to Anfield and have not succeeded at their archrivals for over nine years. The attacker will present Slot with another unforeseen dilemma, yet, should he remain caught in the upheaval much longer.

Current Display

Liverpool's boss likely recognized the paradox of Salah's opening strike against the opponent recently. Swept first time with the outside of his left foot into the front post, his eighth goal of Egypt's qualifying effort originated from an nearly the same location to his expensive error in the Chelsea match before the break for internationals.

If that right-foot effort been finished moments after the restart at Stamford Bridge we would still be praising the new signing's first sublime pass in the league. Inquests into his decline and the team's unusual defeat streak might as well have been delayed. Instead, Wirtz's wait goes on while Slot broods over a third consecutive away defeat, a couple inflicted by last-minute winners and one the outcome of a debatable penalty. Small margins, as he repeated on recently, but they cannot hide larger problems.

Previous Campaign's Contribution

The forward was instrumental in pushing Liverpool towards a record-equalling 20th league title last season while speculation over his long-term plans lingered in the backdrop. We achieved almost the maximum out of Mo last term,” said the manager when his top scorer signed a fresh deal in April. We have seen a clear drop-off on an personal and team level from then. The squad, not the details of a deal, are accountable.

Statistical Decrease

The 33-year-old's output in terms of scores and setups is lower 50% on the corresponding point last season, from a combined eight in the first seven fixtures of last season to four (a pair of goals and two assists) this season. The count of shots has fallen from twenty-two to 12 while accurate shots have dropped from 15 to five, contributing to a steep decline in shooting accuracy (excluding blocks) from 78.9 percent to 55.6%, data show.

A single trait that has held more steady is Salah's chance creation. With 12 opportunities made, versus 14 at the comparable period of last campaign, his figures are among the best in Europe and comparable in the group of Lamine Yamal and rising stars, his younger counterparts by 15 and 13 years each.

Team Output

Indicators of collective performance will concern Slot further. He had 76 contacts in the enemy box in the initial seven fixtures of last season. This season's count is 39. The numbers are reflective of the team's difficulties overall. Just United and Arsenal have attempted more shots on goal than them now, but Liverpool's percentage of attempts from within the goal area is the smallest in the Premier League, their percentage from distance among the highest. Liverpool's percentage of accurate shots – 28.4 percent – is also among the poorest in the competition.

“In the first half of last season we mainly scored from a moment of magic from a forward and in the later stage it was more from a set piece,” the manager said. “Now we haven’t had as numerous acts of brilliance and we have not found the net from dead balls. But we are nonetheless the team that from live action produces the most expected goals opportunities.”

Recent Additions

They aren't beating opponents in the way the coach envisaged when Wirtz, the French forward and Alexander Isak were acquired this summer, although Liverpool stay the league's third-best goalscorers. A tie on the weekend would be sufficient for him to attain the 100-point mark in fewer games than any boss in the club's history (46). Consider what his forward line will do when it finally gels. The side are still a team of exceptional skill, equipped to starting and reeling in any rival for the title, but cohesion is absent. That cannot be blamed on the recent arrivals by themselves.

Individual and Team Challenges

Salah is not the only senior member to suffer a drop-off, with Alexis Mac Allister working his way back to fitness and Ibrahima Konaté toiling. But he finds himself at the core of the turmoil that has lately enveloped the club. This goes to a personal level, with his sorrow over the loss of Diogo Jota obvious on that emotional opening night against Bournemouth. The influence of his loss can not be quantified nor ignored.

Tactical Adjustments

Last season, he