Liverpool manager Arne Slot insists he has no concerns about Mohamed Salah’s form despite the forward’s slow start to the Premier League season.
Salah, 33, has scored just three league goals so far — a modest return by his own high standards — as Liverpool struggle to rediscover their rhythm following a summer of heavy spending and significant change. The Reds invested around £415 million on attacking reinforcements, including Alexander Isak, Hugo Ekitike and Florian Wirtz, but results have been inconsistent, with four straight league defeats before Wednesday’s 5-1 Champions League win over Eintracht Frankfurt.
Salah started that game on the bench but was introduced in the 74th minute, a move Slot said was purely tactical and not a reflection of his faith in the Egyptian.
“The last thing I worry about is Mo scoring goals again,” Slot told reporters. “He’s done that his entire career, and I expect him to do that again in the coming weeks and months.”
The Dutch manager hinted that Liverpool’s numerous summer arrivals and the departure of right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold to Real Madrid have disrupted established partnerships. Salah, who has gone seven Premier League matches without a non-penalty goal — his longest barren spell since joining in 2017 — has had to adapt to new patterns of play.
“It could be a factor, yes,” Slot admitted. “He played most of his Liverpool career with Trent on that side, and they had a great understanding. When you change that dynamic, it takes time to build new connections.”
A Deeper Decline in the Numbers
Salah’s drop-off has been measurable. At this stage last season, he had seven goals and as many assists; this term, he has just three of each. His xG (expected goals) is at its lowest since arriving at Anfield, and he is averaging just 6.2 touches in the opposition box per match — a sharp decline from last season’s 9.6.
He is also attempting fewer dribbles (1.6 per game compared to 3.4 last season) and completing just 0.3, an indicator that defenders are successfully limiting his space. Whether due to age, tactics, or a shift in team shape, Salah has not been as dominant in one-on-one situations.
Opta data underlines how much Alexander-Arnold’s departure has affected him. Last season, the right-back played 147 line-breaking passes to Salah — more than any other Premier League duo. In the 33 league matches they both featured, Salah scored 27 goals, averaging 3.5 shots per game with a 0.48 non-penalty xG. In the 12 matches without his former teammate, that tally drops to just four goals, with reduced shooting and xG metrics.
Still Creating, Still Dangerous
Yet, despite the dip in goals, Salah’s creative influence remains. He has created 19 chances in the league this season, just two fewer than at this stage last year, and has already provided three assists. His crossing and overall involvement in buildup play have increased, suggesting his role may be evolving under Slot’s new system.
“Players miss chances — they’re human,” Slot said. “We are not used to him missing, but the important thing is that he’s still getting into good positions.”
Liverpool face Brentford this weekend, and with Isak sidelined by a groin injury, Salah is expected to return to the starting XI.
While critics point to a gradual decline, others see only a temporary lull. Former Liverpool defender Stephen Warnock believes the scrutiny could even reignite the Egyptian’s spark. “Making Salah a little angry might be no bad thing,” he said on BBC Radio 5 Live.
After years of defying doubts, Salah has earned the right to time and patience. For Slot, the numbers matter less than the man himself: “He’s done it before,” he said calmly. “And he’ll do it again.
