Salah’s Goal Drought Meets Its Match: Slot Breaks Down Why Liverpool’s Striker Slipped Ahead of Chelsea
3 octobre 2025
Slot explains Salah's goal drought ahead of Chelsea clash
Liverpool manager Arne Slot has outlined why Mohamed Salah's goal tally has cooled since the season began.
Slot said at a Friday press conference that Salah remains a key part of a team facing opponents different from the first half of last season.
He noted that if you compare the win over Manchester United at their ground when they tried to play out from the back with the win at Anfield when the goalkeeper André Onana played long balls, that is the change, and that is football’s version of a plot twist.
The coach acknowledged that Liverpool do not score as often from open play as they did in the opening phase, but added that this is something they are working hard on with the new lineup; the reality is they still struggle to convert open-play chances.
Liverpool are preparing for a tough away game at Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Sunday in the seventh round of the Premier League.
Slot and his players aim to bounce back after back-to-back losses to Crystal Palace in the league and Galatasaray in the Champions League.
Liverpool sit top of the table with 15 points, while Chelsea occupy eighth with eight points.
Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca is trying to escape a rough spell after a draw and two losses in the last three games, and they recently benefited from a hard-fought win over Benfica in the Champions League.
Apart from the tactical backdrop, Slot confirmed Brazilian goalkeeper Alisson Becker will miss weeks due to an injury sustained against Galatasaray, and will also miss Brazil's October fixtures. He said recovery could go quickly or take longer, but he would be surprised to see him back in the first match after the international break.
The Brazil international suffered a hamstring issue in the 56th minute of Tuesday's Galatasaray match, with Giorgi Mamardashvili stepping in since then.
Slot also noted Hugo Ekitike's minor injury and that he would train on Friday before a final decision on his involvement against Chelsea. He added Connor Bradley and Jeremie Frimpong have recovered from injuries but are not yet match-fit for three big games in a week.
Regarding Isak, Slot said the Swedish forward is not yet at full fitness and that integrating him with teammates remains a work in progress. He stressed the main difference is not a dramatic tactical shift but that opponents have adapted and that solutions must be found, especially from set-pieces, where last season seven goals were scored but four have been shipped so far this year.
Concluding, Slot warned that Liverpool's recent results have hinged on losing the ball too easily and making a few uncharacteristic errors, and he warned that scrutiny would grow if the pattern persists.
Punchline aside, here’s a little sniper flair: If Salah’s shots were a sniper’s rifle, they’d still be in the safe—nice aim, poor timing. And light-heartedly, if the goalposts had feelings, they’d file a complaint after every tame tap-in is saved. Keep the faith; football has a habit of turning around faster than a manager can say “press.”
