Salah’s poor form is hurting Liverpool’s rhythm, but Arne Slot has refused to act — and that loyalty may cost him.
Arne Slot’s Liverpool The current boss arrived at Anfield with a clear mission. He wanted to build on Jürgen Klopp’s legacy while creating his own identity. The Dutch manager promised energy, structure, and pressing football. Early results showed promise, but the campaign has started to lose direction. The main reason is his decision to stick with Mohamed Salah despite clear signs of decline.
Salah has been one of the Premier League’s best for years. His goals, speed, and composure turned games on their head. But this season, he has looked slower, less decisive, and more predictable. Defenders read his movements easily. His first touch often lets him down. The usual burst into the box is missing. Yet Slot continues to start him in every key match. That choice has started to hurt the balance of Liverpool’s attack.
Mohamed Salah, Arne Slot’s Priority
In earlier years at Liverpool, Mohamed Salah was untouchable with great form. Dropping him was unthinkable. But form and confidence matter more than reputation. Slot’s faith in his star man now looks misplaced. Salah’s name still attracts fear, but his recent displays no longer justify automatic selection. He misses simple chances. He holds the ball too long. Salah disrupts Liverpool’s rhythm on the counter. His numbers tell the story — fewer goals, lower conversion rate, and less involvement in pressing phases.
Arne Slot’s loyalty comes from respect. He wants to keep the dressing room united. Salah’s leadership and history give him huge weight inside the club. But football demands bold calls. Great managers act before the problem grows. Slot has hesitated. By keeping Salah on, he has slowed the development of others. Cody Gakpo and Darwin Núñez have energy and hunger. They press more and create movement. Their combinations work better when Salah is not central to every attack. And
Liverpool’s pressing under Arne slot’s
Liverpool’s pressing has lost its bite. The team no longer suffocates opponents. Salah now conserves energy and stays high up the pitch. That choice breaks the pressing chain. Midfielders cover extra ground to compensate. The structure that made Slot’s system work in pre-season has faded. The fluid transitions from defence to attack now feel forced. Every counterattack slows when it reaches Salah’s wing.
Arne Slot’s tactical plans depend on quick rotations and full commitment from wide players. Salah used to provide that, but not anymore. Instead of driving forward with pace, he checks back and cuts inside. Defenders anticipate the move. Crosses rarely reach the striker. The right flank has become predictable. Opponents double up easily, forcing Liverpool to shift play to the left too often. That imbalance makes the team easier to defend against.
Confidence also plays a part. Salah looks frustrated. His body language shows it. Missed chances affect his composure. Every time he misfires, pressure grows. The crowd still supports him, but the atmosphere shifts when he struggles. Slot seems reluctant to intervene, hoping the old Salah will return on his own. But waiting too long can cost points. Managers must sometimes protect players from themselves.
Authors’ Insight
Rotating Salah would not be an insult. It would be a smart, tactical decision for Liverpool. A short rest could help him reset mentally and physically. It could also open space for others to step up. Ben Doak or Cody Gakpo deserves minutes on the right wing. Fresh energy could reignite Liverpool’s press. Slot’s challenge is to make that call at the right time.
Every top coach faces this test. Loyalty and emotion must never override logic. Slot’s biggest mistake is hesitation. He saw the signs but delayed the solution. That is how momentum slips away. Liverpool’s season is still alive, but only if changes come fast. Dropping Salah temporarily could save both the player and the team.
Slot has shown courage in his career before. He rebuilt Feyenoord by trusting younger players. He can do the same at Liverpool. It only takes one strong decision to turn things around. If he acts now, he can fix the rhythm, refresh the squad, and remind everyone that reputation never outranks performance.
