Liverpool’s “Egyptian King,” Mohamed Salah, usually shines brightly, but his recent performances have left fans and experts alike questioning his effort, especially on defense. The team has hit a rough patch, suffering three consecutive defeats, with the latest being a disappointing 2-1 loss to Chelsea. During this challenging time, Salah’s work rate has become a central point of discussion, with critics suggesting his focus on attack might be creating vulnerabilities for the team.
📉 Salah’s Performance Under Scrutiny
Mohamed Salah’s influence on the pitch has noticeably waned this season. He was particularly quiet during the critical match against Chelsea, missing several chances and failing to contribute effectively to defense. This season, Salah has scored only three goals and provided three assists in nine appearances across all competitions, a modest return compared to his usual high standards. More concerning than the statistics was seeing Salah show little engagement when Liverpool was struggling defensively against Chelsea. This led to right-back Conor Bradley being substituted at halftime after receiving a yellow card, as he struggled to contain Chelsea’s attacks without support. The decisive goal for Chelsea, scored by Estevao Willian in stoppage time, originated from Salah’s side of the field, highlighting the defensive space left open. Marc Cucurella, who provided the assist, later confirmed that Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca had specifically instructed them to exploit this area.
🤔 Defensive Lapses Become Evident
Salah’s less-than-energetic display against Chelsea reflects a broader dip in form that began towards the end of last season. While he famously scored 29 goals in 38 league matches last season, helping Liverpool secure a record-equalling 20th English title, his scoring prowess has declined since March. After netting twice in a 3-1 victory against Southampton in March, he has only scored twice in his subsequent 11 games across all competitions. Earlier, Salah had reportedly assured manager Arne Slot that if he was allowed to focus less on defensive duties, he would deliver offensively. However, this strategy of granting Salah extensive attacking freedom now appears to be backfiring, as opponents are increasingly exploiting the defensive gaps created by his advanced positioning.
🗣️ Legends Weigh In on Work Rate
The growing concern over Salah’s defensive contribution has attracted criticism from football legends. Former Manchester United and England star Wayne Rooney voiced his disapproval, noting, “We know he doesn’t always get back and defend as much. But in the Chelsea game, his full-back is getting torn apart and he’s watching.” Rooney suggested that while a lack of defensive work might be tolerated when a player is consistently scoring, it becomes problematic during a dip in form. He believes that leaders within the Liverpool dressing room should be urging Salah to contribute more defensively. Former Liverpool midfielder Danny Murphy echoed these sentiments, stating that Salah’s lack of defensive effort has become an issue for Liverpool, especially when facing stronger teams.
🧘 Coach Slot Seeks Solutions
Liverpool manager Arne Slot is now faced with the challenge of addressing this issue and helping Salah regain his top form. Interestingly, Slot chose to keep Salah on the bench for the first hour of Liverpool’s recent Champions League defeat against Galatasaray. He later mused whether this decision might have affected Salah’s sharpness in the subsequent Chelsea game, stating, “Did he create so much because he didn’t play during the week or did he miss the chances because he missed a bit of sharpness… We will never know.” For now, Slot is advocating for patience, understanding that even top players like Salah are “human beings” and cannot score every chance. His focus remains on getting Salah back on track to contribute effectively to the team’s overall success.
