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It's been a period, but Mohamed Salah was back assuming the starring role last week with a double in Casablanca that sealed Egypt's spot at the upcoming World Cup. The star stepping on center stage yet again. The Reds require him to stay there.

Reasons for Inconsistent Displays

We see numerous reasons why unsteady, lackluster showings have been the frequent pattern defining the team's opening to their league defense, if they recorded seven straight victories or, before the Red Devils' visit to Anfield on Sunday, three losses in a row. The upheaval from multiple summer changes, the coach's hunt for his ideal lineup, the late forward's loss; Salah has endured the impact of them all during his atypically subdued start to the campaign.

Sunday's Showpiece Occasion

Sunday's showpiece occasion could offer the impetus for the cause of a record 16 scores in 17 appearances for Liverpool against United, who are making their 100th visit to Anfield and have not won at their archrivals for over nine years. Salah will create Slot with another unforeseen dilemma, however, if he stay caught in the turmoil much longer.

Latest Display

The team's head coach likely recognized the contrast of the player's first goal against Djibouti last Wednesday. Drilled directly with the outside of his left foot inside the near post, Salah's eighth strike of Egypt's qualifying effort came from an nearly the same position to his expensive error in the Chelsea match before the national team pause.

If that shot with his right been converted shortly after the restart at Chelsea's ground we would still be eulogising Florian Wirtz's maiden excellent setup in the Premier League. Inquests into his drop and the team's unusual losing streak might also have been avoided. Rather, Wirtz's wait goes on while Slot fumes over a third defeat away, two due to late goals and another the outcome of a disputed penalty. Small margins, as he repeated on Friday, but they do not mask bigger issues.

Last Season's Contribution

The forward was instrumental in pushing the side towards a historic 20th crown the previous term while doubt over his long-term plans rumbled in the background. “We brought nearly the best out of Salah that campaign,” said Slot when his main attacker signed a fresh deal in the spring. There has been a obvious drop-off on an personal and collective level since. The team, not the details of a contract, are to blame.

Statistical Decline

His production in terms of goals and assists is lower 50% on the same stage last season, from a total eight in the initial seven matches of 2024-25 to 4 (a pair of goals and a couple of assists) this term. His tally of attempts has fallen from 22 to twelve while accurate shots have declined from 15 to 5, contributing to a significant decline in shot accuracy (excluding blocks) from 78.9% to 55.6%, figures show.

One attribute that has remained consistent is Salah's chance creation. With twelve opportunities made, against 14 at the equivalent point of the previous season, his figures are among the top in Europe and comparable in the ranks of young talents and Arda Güler, his juniors by 15 and 13 years respectively.

Collective Display

Metrics of team display will trouble Slot more. Salah had 76 contacts in the enemy penalty area in the opening seven matches of the previous term. This season's tally is 39. The stats are reflective of the squad's difficulties as a whole. Just United and the Gunners have attempted a greater number of attempts on goal than Liverpool this season, but the team's proportion of attempts from inside the six-yard box is the poorest in the top flight, their percentage from long range among the greatest. The club's rate of accurate shots – 28.4% – is also among the lowest in the competition.

During the initial phase of last season we primarily found the net from a moment of magic from an attacker and in the later stage it was more from a free-kick or corner,” Slot said. “Currently we lack as many 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 most xG chances.”

Recent Additions

They are not hurting foes in the way the coach envisaged when Florian Wirtz, Hugo Ekitiké and the Swedish striker were signed in the offseason, while the team remain the division's joint third-highest scorers. A tie on Sunday would be sufficient for him to achieve the century of points in fewer games than any manager in Liverpool's history (forty-six). Think what his forward line will do when it does settle. The side are still a squad of outstanding skill, equipped to igniting and reeling in any rival for the title, but unity is lacking. That can not be pinned on the new signings only.

Personal and Team Problems

The player is not the sole established member to suffer a drop-off, with the midfielder returning to fitness and Ibrahima Konaté toiling. But he ends up at the center of the turmoil that has recently engulfed Liverpool. That extends to a individual level, with his grief over the death of Diogo Jota evident on that emotional first game against the Cherries. The impact of his tragedy can not be assessed nor ignored.

Strategic Shifts

Last season, he