During the wild celebrations after Liverpool secured the Premier League title at Anfield in April, Mohamed Salah reflected on a conversation he had with head coach Arne Slot at the season’s outset. Salah expressed his desire for minimal defensive responsibilities, promising to contribute significantly in attack, a request Slot seemed to heed, evident in the remarkable statistics Salah posted that season.
Salah had one of the most memorable individual seasons in English football history, finishing as the Premier League’s top scorer with 29 goals and earning both the Golden Boot and Playmaker award for his 18 assists. His achievements earned him a substantial new two-year contract and accolades as both the Football Writers’ Association Footballer of the Year and Professional Footballers’ Association Player of the Year.
However, Salah’s current form tells a different story. This season has seen him net only five goals and provide three assists in 18 appearances across all competitions. His declining performance during a challenging time for Liverpool prompted his exclusion from the starting lineup in a crucial victory against West Ham United, marking the first Premier League match he missed since a previous incident at the London Stadium in April 2024.
Salah’s pride may have taken a hit from being left out, and Slot’s handling of the situation could pose a key test of his leadership skills. As a fan favorite and the club’s third-highest scorer, Salah is accustomed to leading from the front. Nevertheless, fans have begun to question whether the team might perform better without him, particularly given their struggles prior to the recent win.
Liverpool has four matches before Salah departs for the Africa Cup of Nations in mid-December, starting with a match against Sunderland at Anfield. Slot will need to decide whether to reintegrate Salah into the lineup or maintain the successful formula that worked against West Ham.
In a pre-match press conference, Slot acknowledged Salah’s disappointment at being benched but praised his professionalism, noting that the star forward remained supportive of his teammates. This season’s statistics for Salah raise concerns; after 13 Premier League games, he has just four goals and two assists, dramatically lower than his impressive tally at the same point last year.
Liverpool’s tactical adjustments against West Ham appeared to create a more balanced team. With new defensive contributions and positional changes, the squad effectively dealt with West Ham’s attacking threats. This might indicate a strategic shift for the future, particularly as new players return to fitness, including Conor Bradley and Jeremie Frimpong, just as Salah is set to leave for international duty.
Slot’s rotation strategy and evolving game plan may suggest a potential bright future for Liverpool. As they navigate the busy schedule ahead, including a match against Leeds United and a crucial Champions League match against Inter Milan, Klopp’s approach will be pivotal. With Salah looking to reclaim his position and silence any doubters, Liverpool stands at an interesting crossroads, hoping to harness both his talent and the contributions of the team as they push forward.