Salah Under Fire As Liverpool Struggle To Find Their Spark

Mohamed Salah’s recent performances have sparked concern at Liverpool after another disappointing display in the team’s 2-1 defeat to Chelsea at Stamford Bridge. The Egyptian forward, once the team’s most reliable match-winner, struggled to make an impact, missing key chances and offering little defensive support as Liverpool’s winless run extended to three matches.

Salah, who has been the symbol of Liverpool’s success in recent years, has scored only three goals in nine appearances across all competitions this season, a modest return by his usual standards. His lack of sharpness in front of goal has coincided with Liverpool’s slump in form, with the team now slipping behind Arsenal in the Premier League title race.

Against Chelsea, Salah’s lack of defensive work became more evident. Liverpool right-back Conor Bradley was repeatedly exposed on the flank and had to be substituted at half-time after picking up a yellow card. The winning goal, scored by Chelsea’s Estevao Willian in stoppage time, came from Salah’s side of the pitch, where Marc Cucurella was left unmarked to deliver the decisive cross.

Chelsea’s players later admitted that they targeted Salah’s wing deliberately, aware that his defensive involvement was minimal. That approach worked to devastating effect, compounding Liverpool’s defensive woes and highlighting how Salah’s declining intensity has become a tactical weakness for the team.

Dip In Form Raises Questions About Salah’s Role

Once renowned for his relentless pressing and tireless runs, Salah’s recent body language has told a different story. The 33-year-old has struggled to replicate the explosiveness that defined his earlier seasons at Anfield. After scoring 29 league goals last campaign, his influence has waned considerably, with just two goals in his last 11 matches.

Observers believe part of the problem stems from his evolving role under coach Arne Slot. Salah himself once suggested that he had convinced Slot to allow him to focus solely on attacking duties rather than defensive tracking. That freedom worked when he was finding the net regularly, but now, the balance appears to be hurting Liverpool.

Former players have not been shy in voicing their criticism. Wayne Rooney questioned Salah’s work rate on his BBC show, arguing that Liverpool’s senior players should hold him accountable. “When you’re scoring goals, teammates overlook the lack of defending,” Rooney said. “But when the goals dry up, it becomes a problem. Salah looks a bit lost at the moment.”

Ex-Liverpool midfielder Danny Murphy echoed the same sentiment, warning that the forward’s reduced defensive effort has started to affect team dynamics, especially against stronger opponents.

Slot Faces Task Of Reviving His Star Forward

Liverpool manager Arne Slot now faces the challenge of reigniting Salah’s confidence and effectiveness. The Dutch coach benched the Egyptian for the first hour of their Champions League defeat to Galatasaray, a decision he later admitted might have affected Salah’s sharpness at Stamford Bridge.

Slot has urged patience, reminding fans that even the club’s greatest performers are not immune to dips in form. “It’s not like every chance he gets must be a goal,” Slot said. “He’s human, and sometimes things just don’t fall his way.”

Still, with Liverpool’s attack increasingly dependent on Salah’s output, the pressure is mounting for both player and coach to find solutions quickly. The Reds’ upcoming fixtures against Aston Villa and West Ham will provide another test of their ability to adapt, and for Salah, an opportunity to silence doubts about his hunger and form.

For now, questions linger over whether the “Egyptian King” can reclaim his throne or if Liverpool must prepare for a gradual transition away from their once-untouchable talisman.