Mohamed Salah’s future at Liverpool is coming under increasing scrutiny as both his on-pitch impact and willingness to track back continue to express doubts. Once the most important player on the squad, Salah now often has the least impact. Now, his output has died down completely, and Arne Slot has moved him into a different position. As Liverpool navigates a challenging season, the prospect of Salah’s departure looms large, leaving fans and analysts questioning his future with the team.
Indeed, Salah’s recent numbers demonstrate his declining role on the field. In his previous 33 appearances, he’s failed to score from open play, netting just six non-penalty goals. That’s a drastic fall-off from his once prolific scoring output. His omission from the squad for the crucial match against Inter Milan further emphasizes his declining status within the team. Things came to a head when Slot benched Salah for the 4-1 home loss to PSV in the Champions League group stage. In free agency, this decision added to the perception that Salah’s role on the team was shrinking.
As Salah enters his 34th year, the physical decline that often accompanies this stage of a player’s career is becoming evident. Analysts have pointed to his declining ability to help out defensively, a trend that’s been in place for the last few seasons. His unwillingness or inability to run back defensively has just become a huge Achilles heel for Liverpool. This opens up space for opponents to exploit spaces in between down the right hand side of the pitch. Clubs such as Manchester City, Brentford, Nottingham Forest and Manchester United have all exploited this vulnerability. Their relentless, focused aggression has created serious danger to Liverpool’s goal.
The statistics illustrate a troubling pattern: Liverpool’s defensive intensity tends to decline when Salah is on the field. This decline is not merely anecdotal; it is supported by data showing that Salah’s lack of involvement in defensive plays has left gaps that opponents have capitalized on. His tepid efforts here have raised eyebrows and opened discussions among analysts. Former footballer Jamie Carragher weighed in, calling Salah’s comments regarding his relationship with Slot a “disgrace,” which only adds to the dramatic flare of the tale surrounding his future.
Salah’s relationship with Slot can’t be in great shape. The manager didn’t even bother beating around the bush when he was asked if Salah played his last game for Liverpool. This concern is more indicative of a larger dilemma on the roster. No matter who is in charge, the emphasis placed on covering defensive assignments has deepened. Salah has been at his best when playing in an attacking role. The recent trend toward a more pragmatic, centrist approach clearly isn’t working for him, as he looks even less willing to change.
His drop-off defensively should be a major cause for concern for fans and management alike. As he has more and more trouble getting back into position, Liverpool’s back line is increasingly exposed. The critical question now remains: can Salah adapt to the new expectations placed upon him under Slot’s guidance? Or will he start to reverse this trend of regression, putting him on a path to stay at the club long-term.
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