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It has been a period, but Liverpool's forward was back taking on the starring role in recent days with two goals in Casablanca that sealed Egypt's place at the 2026 World Cup. The star claiming the limelight another time. The Reds need him to remain there.

Reasons for Unsteady Displays

There are numerous factors why variable, lackluster performances have been the common thread defining Liverpool's opening to their championship defense, whether they recorded seven wins in a row or, prior to Manchester United's trip to Anfield on the weekend, a losing run. The turmoil from multiple new signings, Arne Slot's hunt for his best XI, the late forward's tragic death; Salah has experienced the impact of them all during his unusually low-key beginning to the campaign.

Sunday's Showpiece Occasion

Sunday's big match could provide the impetus for the origin of a impressive 16 scores in 17 games for the club against United, who are paying their 100th visit to Anfield and have not won at their fierce rivals for over nine years. The attacker will create the manager with a further surprise issue, though, if he continue caught in the turmoil for an extended period.

Latest Display

The team's manager must have seen the contrast of Salah's first goal against the opponent last Wednesday. Drilled directly with the outside of his left foot inside the close post, his eighth goal of Egypt's qualifying effort originated from an nearly the same position to his big mistake versus Chelsea prior to the international break.

If that attempt been converted shortly after the resumption at Chelsea's ground we would still be praising Florian Wirtz's maiden superb pass in the league. Analyses into Salah's decline and the team's rare defeat streak might as well have been avoided. Instead, the midfielder's wait persists while Slot stews over a third loss on the road, a couple caused by late goals and another the outcome of a controversial spot-kick. Fine lines, as Slot reiterated on recently, but they do not camouflage bigger issues.

Previous Campaign's Contribution

The forward was instrumental in propelling Liverpool towards a historic 20th league title the prior campaign while speculation over his career lingered in the background. We achieved nearly the best out of Salah this season,” said the manager when his leading striker signed a new two‑year contract in the spring. We have seen a clear decline on an personal and collective level since. The squad, not the terms of a contract, are responsible.

Performance Drop

The 33-year-old's contribution in terms of goals and setups is lower 50% on the same stage the previous term, from a combined eight in the initial seven league games of last season to four (two goals and two assists) this season. His tally of shots has dropped from twenty-two to twelve while efforts on goal have fallen from fifteen to 5, causing a sharp decline in conversion rate (not counting blocks) from 78.9% to 55.6 percent, statistics show.

One attribute that has remained consistent is his chance creation. With 12 key passes, against fourteen at the comparable period of last term, his figures stay among the best in the continent and comparable in the group of young talents and rising stars, his younger counterparts by fifteen and 13 years respectively.

Team Performance

Metrics of collective performance will trouble Slot additionally. Salah had seventy-six touches in the enemy box in the initial seven fixtures of last season. The current campaign's tally is thirty-nine. The stats are symptomatic of the team's issues overall. Just Manchester United and Arsenal have taken more attempts on goal than them in the current term, but Liverpool's proportion of attempts from inside the six-yard box is the smallest in the division, their share from distance among the top. The club's percentage of accurate shots – 28.4% – is as well among the weakest in the league.

“In the first half of the previous campaign we mostly scored from a moment of magic from one of our front three and in the later stage it was more from a set piece,” Slot said. “This season we haven’t had as numerous acts of brilliance and we have not found the net from set pieces. But we are nonetheless the team that from live action generates the highest quality opportunities.”

New Signings

They are not punishing foes in the way Slot imagined when Wirtz, Hugo Ekitiké and the Swedish striker were acquired in the offseason, although the team stay the league's third-best goalscorers. A draw on Sunday would be enough for Slot to reach the century of points in fewer games than any coach in Liverpool's history (forty-six). Imagine what his forward line will do when it does settle. The side are still a squad of exceptional skill, equipped to starting and chasing any opponent for the title, but synergy is absent. This can not be pinned on the summer recruits alone.

Personal and Team Challenges

Salah is not the only senior member to suffer a dip, with the midfielder returning to fitness and Ibrahima Konaté struggling. But he ends up at the heart of the upheaval that has of late engulfed the club. This goes to a individual level, with his grief over the death of Diogo Jota evident on that emotional opening night against the Cherries. The effect of Jota's death can neither be quantified nor ignored.

Tactical Shifts

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