Slot’s Mistake Ruins Liverpool’s Season: Will Salah Be Next?

The tactical management of Mohamed Salah under manager Arne Slot has become a central point of contention at Liverpool, as the Egyptian forward’s form has seen a significant decline. While a dip in performance was expected given the player’s career trajectory, recent analysis suggests that Slot’s specific tactical decisions may have accelerated this downturn.

Tactical Friction and Performance Drops

Reports indicate a sharp drop in Salah’s performances, with some analysts arguing that Slot’s approach has exacerbated the issue. The struggle is most evident in high-stakes fixtures against top-tier opposition.

During a stretch of 11 games against elite opponents—including Manchester City, Arsenal, Chelsea, Manchester United, Newcastle, Real Madrid, and Paris Saint-Germain—Liverpool suffered seven defeats. Salah featured in all 11 of these matches but failed to contribute a single goal.

This lack of productivity has led to descriptions of the forward as a Salah-shaped void and a ghost at the edge of things during these critical encounters.

Debating Accountability

The decline of the star forward has sparked a divide in opinion regarding where the blame lies. One perspective suggests that the failure to drop Salah from the starting lineup during this poor run of form represents a significant mistake by Arne Slot this season.

Conversely, other viewpoints argue that the manager is not the primary problem. This line of reasoning posits that the issue resides with Salah himself, rather than the tactical framework implemented by Slot.

Broader Team Context

Despite the individual struggles of Salah and the losses against top-tier sides, there are indications that Liverpool as a collective continue to show signs of improvement.

The current situation places Slot in a difficult position as he balances the integration of his tactical philosophy with the management of one of the club’s most influential players. The core of the issue remains whether Salah’s decline is an inevitable result of age or a byproduct of a system that no longer optimizes his strengths.