Premier League
Is Mohamed Salah Still The Key To Liverpool’s Comeback?
This Sunday, Anfield will host one of English football’s most historic rivalries as Liverpool takes on Manchester United.
Yet for all the noise surrounding the fixture, much of the spotlight will inevitably fall on Mohamed Salah, a player caught between criticism and expectation as he looks to rekindle his best form.
Season Off to a Rocky Start
By his own high standards, Salah’s 2025 campaign has been untakeshelming.
The Egyptian forward, often Liverpool’s talisman and most consistent performer since his arrival in 2017, has endured a slow start.
After scoring in the opening-day victory against Bournemouth, his goals have dried up with just one more in the Premier League (against Burnley) and another in mid-September’s Champions League clash with Atlético Madrid.
For a player whose career has been defined by relentless consistency, these numbers tell a concerning story. His recent performances have drawn criticism from pundits and former players, with some branding him “lazy” and questioning his current influence on the pitch.
Liverpool, meanwhile, has suffered three straight defeats heading into the derby an unusual slump for a side expected to challenge for the title. The timing of Salah’s dip in form couldn’t have been worse.
From Indispensable to Optional?
One of the biggest talking points among fans and analysts alike has been whether Salah remains untouchable in Arne Slot’s lineup. The Reds’ squad now has several attacking options, Cody Gakpo, Hugo Ekitiké, and Florian Wirtz, all capable of filling roles across the front line.
In Liverpool’s recent 1–0 Champions League defeat to Galatasaray, Slot opted to start without Salah, leaving him on the bench for the entire game.
It was a bold decision that spoke volumes: for the first time in years, Salah’s place in the starting XI is no longer guaranteed.
While the Egyptian still provides flashes of brilliance, the trademark runs down the right flank, the clever cuts inside his overall contribution have been inconsistent.
With Liverpool struggling for rhythm in attack, Slot faces a difficult balancing act: remain loyal to a proven star or embrace the club’s next generation of forwards.
Slot Stays Calm Amid the Noise
Despite the external noise, Arne Slot has shown no signs of panic regarding Salah’s form.
Speaking ahead of the international break, the Dutchman struck a tone of quiet confidence:
”We’re not scoring as many goals as we did at the start of last season,” he explained in a press conference a fortnight ago.
“It’s something we’re working very hard on and the more we play together in this new configuration, the better it will be.”
Slot’s words suggest he still views Salah as central to his long-term plans. Liverpool’s attack, after all, is undergoing a period of transition following several high-profile departures and summer arrivals.
The chemistry is still developing, and Salah’s experience could be vital as the team finds its rhythm again.
The Perfect Stage for Redemption
If there’s one opponent against whom Salah can silence his doubters, it’s Manchester United.
The numbers speak for themselves: in 17 appearances against the Red Devils, he has scored 16 goals an extraordinary record that cements his reputation as United’s tormentor-in-chief.
And the timing might just be perfect. During the recent international window, Salah rediscovered some confidence, scoring twice for Egypt in their comfortable win over Djibouti.
