Mohamed Salah, the prolific forward for Liverpool, has achieved a remarkable feat in his Premier League career. For the first time, he was limited to a solitary touch inside the opposition box during a game he completed the full 90 minutes. Despite this limitation, Salah managed to score Liverpool's second goal of the match against Everton from his lone touch in their box. This performance highlights his efficiency and effectiveness inside the penalty area.
Salah's contribution to Liverpool's success this season is undeniable. With 36 goal involvements, he stands on the brink of surpassing the record of 47 set by Andrew Cole and Alan Shearer during the 42-game seasons of the early '90s. Currently, Salah leads the Premier League charts with 22 goals and 14 assists, demonstrating his dual threat as both a scorer and a provider. Remarkably, he is projected to reach an astonishing 57 goals this season, a testament to his exceptional form.
However, recent games have not been entirely smooth sailing for Salah. Despite his impressive statistics, he has only managed to score two goals in his last four appearances, a stark contrast to his solitary goal in the preceding 26 matches. His performance metrics show a decline in physical exertion, with reduced distances covered, fewer sprints, and decreased pressure application compared to his previous seasons.
Notably, teammates Cody Gakpo and Luis Diaz have been covering more ground than Salah, running one kilometer and one-and-a-half kilometers further per 90 minutes, respectively. This shift may indicate a strategic adjustment in team dynamics or a response to Salah's need for tactical conservation of energy.
Despite these challenges, Salah has equalled his figures from the 2021/22 season when he clinched both the PFA and FWA Player of the Year awards. Moreover, he has already surpassed his goal totals from the last two campaigns, showcasing his continuous development as a top-tier player.
Key to Salah's resurgence is his manager, Arne Slot, who has played a pivotal role in facilitating his improvement. Slot has meticulously crafted strategies to harness Salah's strengths and mitigate any weaknesses. Additionally, Salah had been sidelined by an ankle sprain that kept him out for two months between September and December, making his current form all the more impressive.
One surprising statistic during this period was Salah's shot count; with only two shots in one game, it was his lowest since October. Despite this anomaly, he remains an integral part of Liverpool's setup. The team is constructed around maximizing Salah's talent, ensuring that he remains at the forefront of their attacking plays.
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