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It's been a while, but the Egyptian star returned assuming the starring role in recent days with two goals in Morocco that sealed Egypt's spot at the 2026 World Cup. The main man taking the spotlight yet again. Liverpool must have him to stay there.

Causes for Unsteady Displays

There are numerous factors why inconsistent, lackluster performances have been the frequent pattern running through the team's opening to their league defense, if they recorded seven straight victories or, prior to the Red Devils' trip to Liverpool's home ground on the weekend, three consecutive defeats. The disruption from numerous summer changes, Arne Slot's search for his ideal lineup, the late forward's tragic death; Salah has experienced the consequences of them all during his atypically subdued opening to the campaign.

Sunday's Big Match

The weekend's showpiece occasion could deliver the impetus for the cause of a record 16 scores in 17 games for the club against Manchester United, who are making their 100th visit to the stadium and have not triumphed at their archrivals for over nine years. Salah will create the manager with an additional unexpected problem, however, should he stay lost in the disruption indefinitely.

Recent Performance

The team's boss must have noticed the irony of the player's first goal against Djibouti last Wednesday. Swept immediately with the outside of his left foot inside the near post, Salah's eighth goal of the national team's World Cup qualifying campaign came from an almost identical position to his costly miss in the Chelsea match prior to the international break.

Had that right-foot effort been scored shortly after the resumption at Stamford Bridge we would still be praising Florian Wirtz's first sublime setup in the English top flight. Inquests into his decline and Liverpool's infrequent losing streak might also have been postponed. Rather, Wirtz's wait persists while Slot stews over a third consecutive away defeat, a couple inflicted by dying-minute strikes and one the result of a controversial spot-kick. Narrow differences, as Slot reiterated on Friday, but they do not mask bigger issues.

Last Season's Contribution

Salah was key in propelling the side towards a record-equalling 20th league title the previous term while doubt over his long-term plans persisted in the backdrop. We achieved almost the utmost out of Salah that campaign,” said Slot when his top scorer signed a new two‑year contract in April. We have seen a obvious decrease on an individual and collective level from then. The team, not the terms of a deal, are responsible.

Statistical Decline

The 33-year-old's contribution in terms of goals and assists is down half on the corresponding stage last season, from a total eight in the first seven league games of last season to 4 (a pair of goals and two assists) this term. His tally of attempts has dropped from 22 to twelve while efforts on goal have dropped from 15 to five, causing a significant fall in shooting accuracy (not counting blocks) from 78.9% to 55.6 percent, figures show.

A particular skill that has held more steady is Salah's playmaking. With twelve opportunities made, compared with 14 at the comparable period of last term, his stats remain among the best in the continent and comparable in the company of Lamine Yamal and Arda Güler, his juniors by 15 and 13 years respectively.

Team Performance

Indicators of collective output will trouble the coach more. Salah had 76 touches in the opposition box in the initial seven league games of the previous term. This season's count is thirty-nine. The numbers are indicative of the squad's difficulties in general. Only Manchester United and the Gunners have tried a greater number of shots on goal than Liverpool this season, but Liverpool's percentage of shots from within the goal area is the smallest in the Premier League, their percentage from distance among the highest. Liverpool's rate of efforts on goal – 28.4% – is as well among the lowest in the league.

During the initial phase of last season we primarily scored from an individual brilliance from a forward and in the later stage it was mostly from a dead ball,” Slot said. “This season we lack as many acts of brilliance and we have not found the net from dead balls. But we are nonetheless the side that from open play creates the most xG chances.”

Summer Arrivals

They are not hurting opponents in the fashion the coach envisaged when Florian Wirtz, Hugo Ekitiké and the Swedish striker were signed this summer, although Liverpool are the division's equal third-top scorers. A tie on Sunday would be enough for him to achieve the 100-point mark in less games than any manager in the club's past (46). Consider what his forward line will do when it does settle. The side are still a squad of exceptional individual quality, able to sparking and chasing any rival for the title, but unity is lacking. That can not be blamed on the summer recruits only.

Personal and Team Challenges

The player is not the sole key player to suffer a drop-off, with the midfielder working his way back to form and Ibrahima Konaté toiling. But he is at the core of the disruption that has of late affected the club. This applies to a individual level, with his sorrow over the death of Diogo Jota obvious on that poignant opening night against Bournemouth. The effect of Jota's death can neither be measured nor ignored.

Strategic Changes

Previously, he