Salah’s Struggles Leave Slot Facing a Difficult Decision

Liverpool’s 3-2 defeat to Brentford summed up the frustration surrounding the champions’ faltering title defence. The loss marked their fifth in six matches across all competitions, and although Mohamed Salah found the net late on, it could not disguise another worrying display from the Egyptian forward. Speaking to Dave Davis for Anfield Index, journalist David Lynch delivered an honest assessment of Salah’s current struggles, offering a view that will resonate with many supporters concerned about his recent decline.

Decline in Confidence and Sharpness

Salah’s late goal at the Gtech Community Stadium was his first since 17 September against Atletico Madrid in the Champions League, but the performance itself did little to ease concerns about his form. Lynch was unsparing in his analysis, saying, “He probably shouldn’t have even been on the pitch to score that late goal. I thought it was the poorest performance of his Liverpool career so far.”

That sentiment captures the mood among fans watching a player who once seemed unstoppable. Lynch added, “He couldn’t trap the ball, he couldn’t play others in, his crosses were weak. I thought he was pretty terrible.” The precision, composure and explosiveness that have defined Salah’s Liverpool career appear to have deserted him, leaving Arne Slot with a significant decision to make.

Fatigue or Decline?

Few players have carried Liverpool as consistently as Salah over recent years, yet his influence has waned this season. Lynch was careful not to overreact, admitting, “I never want to go over the top on the criticism because no one was asking for Salah to not be given the new contract.” Still, he acknowledged the growing evidence that the Egyptian’s powers may be fading, continuing, “But it really does look like he’s a player that has gone a season too far and he can’t do it at the minute.”

Such words carry weight, not least because of how integral Salah has been under both Jürgen Klopp and now Slot. A once-reliable match winner now looks short of confidence, with his sharpness around the box lacking and his decision-making hesitant. The question now is whether this is temporary fatigue or a more permanent downturn that demands change.

Slot’s Tactical Dilemma

Lynch did not shy away from the selection dilemma that Slot faces. “I just can’t justify putting him in the team and I say that even after he scores that wonderful goal that gives Liverpool a chance,” he said. “He was poor before that and he was poor after that. There’s players playing better than him and should be in the starting eleven.”

Liverpool’s attacking depth, bolstered by the likes of Hugo Ekitike and Federico Chiesa, gives Slot the flexibility to make bold choices. Yet, dropping Salah would still be seismic, given his iconic status and leadership within the squad. Lynch concluded, “It’s sad to say that but Arne Slot has to make a tough decision on him.”

For all Salah has achieved, time remains football’s greatest equaliser. Whether this is a blip or the start of decline will be judged by his response in the coming weeks. Slot’s challenge lies in balancing respect for a legend with the reality of form and fitness, as Liverpool aim to reignite their season before their title defence slips away completely.