Liverpool in Focus: Is Salah Slipping or Is the Team Rebuilding Around Him?

Context and the Current Pressure

An English press report today scrutinizes Mohamed Salah’s recent performances as Liverpool’s star amid growing criticism. Liverpool lost their lead in the English Premier League last Saturday after a 2-1 defeat to Chelsea at Stamford Bridge, while Arsenal climbed to the summit with a 2-0 win over West Ham.

According to the English outlet Liverpool Echo, the boos Salah faced during his visit to his former club Chelsea over the weekend were not new for the Liverpool winger. The piece adds that this could be the first time in Salah’s Liverpool career that he confronts real questions about his place in the starting lineup.

Salah’s disappointing display against Chelsea is described as the latest in a string of underwhelming performances that have not lived up to the high expectations that once crowned him England’s best player and a potential Ballon d’Or candidate.

Statistical dip

However, the report stresses that this does not mean Salah has stopped contributing; he has 3 goals and 3 assists in 10 appearances across competitions this season, with only six players ahead of him in overall contributions, yet a deeper look shows a player struggling to regain peak form.

The analysis highlights that Salah did not complete a successful dribble in the Chelsea game, and recorded the fewest touches among those who played 90 minutes, with a current dribble success rate of 12.5% versus 42.3% last season.

His overall numbers have declined: shots and touches in the penalty area have halved in the Premier League this season, while forward carries, chances created, and free-kick opportunities per game are down compared with last year. Liverpool’s focus on Salah remains, yet the player has faced a dip that isn’t limited to a single month; in his last 24 games for Liverpool across all competitions, he has four goals from 52 attempts, excluding penalties.

Arnold as a Possible Reason

The report suggests that Trent Alexander-Arnold’s exit for Real Madrid plays a major role in Salah’s decline. Before this season, Salah had played 316 of 401 Liverpool matches, with Arnold providing creative support on the right flank. This season, others—Conor Bradley, Jeremie Frimbongo, Dominik Szoboszlai, Wataru Endo, and Joe Gomez—have rotated into the right-back slot, as Liverpool searches for a steady fixture there.

The attack line has also undergone a remodeling: Alexander Isak (125 million pounds), Hugo Ekiti (79 million pounds), and forward midfielder Florian Wirtz (116 million pounds) have joined, signaling a shift away from the previous patterns. The club is seeking a new attacking structure, which could explain the current teething problems as roles settle in.

Defenders can now focus more on neutralizing Salah, who often faces two or three opposing players with limited clear outlets. This younger generation represents Liverpool’s future, while Salah’s role evolves as he mentors teammates who will eventually take over, and he will not be viewed as the Reds’ focal point for long.

Human Factors and Ballon d’Or Ambitions

The report also notes a human dimension: Salah, like many top players, places significant value on personal recognition, even if team trophies come first. It was disappointing not to win the Ballon d’Or last month, a prize that could have represented his last major chance to lift it for now.

Additionally, Salah’s emotional response to the fans after the win over Bournemouth showed how he and his teammates seek to cope with the tragic death of Diogo Jota last July. Nevertheless, despite a rigorous training regime, at 33 his pace and energy are gradually waning.

The responsibility now lies with Salah and the Reds’ plan to sustain peak output while accepting a gradual decline in some areas. The ongoing international window could offer a chance to reset and build momentum toward 2026, potentially restoring confidence.

Ultimately, Salah’s evolution at Anfield suggests he isn’t finished; it may be time for another chapter of the Egyptian’s career, with Liverpool still needing him on the horizon.

Punchline Sniper 1: If Salah’s form were a sniper rifle, the shot would still hit the target—but the wind at Stamford Bridge keeps misfiring the wind-up.

Punchline Sniper 2: Liverpool’s new plan—pass, move, and trust the re-calibrated optics; because sometimes the ball finds the net when the defense finally stops looking at Salah.$$