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It has been some time, but Liverpool's forward returned playing the lead part in recent days with two goals in Casablanca that sealed the Egyptian team's spot at the 2026 World Cup. The star taking the spotlight once more. Liverpool require him to keep that position.

Reasons for Inconsistent Displays

There are many reasons why inconsistent, unconvincing performances have been the frequent pattern running through Liverpool's start to their championship defense, whether they produced a winning streak or, prior to the Red Devils' trip to Anfield on Sunday, three consecutive defeats. The turmoil from numerous summer changes, Arne Slot's quest for his ideal lineup, Diogo Jota's loss; Salah has experienced the effect of them all during his uncharacteristically quiet beginning to the term.

The Weekend's Big Match

Sunday's big match could provide the impetus for the origin of a record 16 scores in 17 outings for the club against United, who are making their 100th visit to the stadium and have not triumphed at their archrivals for more than nine years. The attacker will pose Slot with a further unexpected problem, however, if he continue lost in the disruption for an extended period.

Recent Performance

Liverpool's manager likely recognized the paradox of the player's opening strike against Djibouti in midweek. Swept directly with the outside of his stronger foot into the front post, his eighth strike of the national team's World Cup qualifying campaign originated from an very similar spot to his costly miss in the Chelsea match prior to the international break.

Had that attempt been scored moments after the resumption at Chelsea's ground we would even now be eulogising Florian Wirtz's maiden superb setup in the Premier League. Analyses into his drop and Liverpool's rare losing streak might also have been avoided. Rather, Wirtz's wait goes on while Slot broods over a third consecutive defeat away, two caused by dying-minute strikes and one the result of a controversial spot-kick. Narrow differences, as he reiterated on Friday, but they cannot hide bigger issues.

Previous Campaign's Impact

Salah was key in pushing Liverpool towards a record-equalling 20th league title last season while doubt over his future persisted in the backdrop. “We brought nearly the best out of Mo this season,” said the manager when his leading striker signed a fresh deal in April. We have seen a clear decrease on an individual and team level since. The squad, not the details of a deal, are to blame.

Statistical Drop

The 33-year-old's production in terms of scores and setups is down 50% on the same point last season, from a combined 8 in the initial seven fixtures of last season to 4 (a pair of goals and two assists) this season. His tally of shots has fallen from 22 to twelve while accurate shots have declined from fifteen to 5, leading to a significant decline in shot accuracy (not counting blocks) from 78.9 percent to 55.6 percent, statistics show.

One attribute that has held more steady is his playmaking. With 12 key passes, compared with fourteen at the same stage of last campaign, his figures remain among the finest in Europe and comparable in the group of young talents and Arda Güler, his younger counterparts by 15 and thirteen years each.

Team Display

Indicators of collective output will worry the coach more. He had seventy-six contacts in the enemy penalty area in the opening seven matches of the previous term. This season's total is thirty-nine. The stats are indicative of the squad's problems overall. Just United and the Gunners have attempted a greater number of attempts on goal than them now, but Liverpool's percentage of shots from inside the six-yard box is the poorest in the division, their ratio from distance among the greatest. The club's rate of efforts on goal – 28.4 percent – is also among the weakest in the competition.

During the initial phase of the previous campaign we mainly found the net from a moment of magic from a forward and in the second half it was more from a set piece,” the manager said. “This season we haven’t had as numerous sparks of quality and we have not found the net from dead balls. But we are nonetheless the team that from open play produces the highest quality opportunities.”

New Signings

They are not hurting opponents in the fashion Slot planned when Florian Wirtz, the French forward and the Swedish striker were brought on board recently, while the team remain the division's third-best goalscorers. A tie on Sunday would be sufficient for Slot to achieve the 100-point total in less games than any boss in Liverpool's past (forty-six). Think what his attack will do when it finally gels. The side remain a team of supreme talent, capable of starting and chasing any rival for the championship, but synergy is lacking. This cannot be blamed on the summer recruits only.

Individual and Collective Issues

Salah is not the only established member to experience a decline, with the midfielder regaining to form and Ibrahima Konaté toiling. But he ends up at the center of the disruption that has of late affected the club. This goes to a personal level, with his grief over the death of Jota clear on that poignant opening night against Bournemouth. The effect of Jota's tragedy can neither be measured nor dismissed.

Tactical Adjustments

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