Mohamed Salah is experiencing one of the most challenging periods of his Liverpool career, with the Egyptian forward failing to score in his last four matches across all competitions. Following a disappointing 3-2 loss to Fulham on Sunday, Mohamed Salah’s goal drought has extended to a worrying seven matches, with his last goal from open play coming on February 23. The striker’s usual high standards have made the recent slump even more noticeable, but one of his admirers, Feyenoord manager Arne Slot, has spoken out to offer his full support to Salah.
The last few weeks have been difficult for Mohamed Salah, whose name has been synonymous with goalscoring excellence for years. But as he struggles to find the net, some of his peers, including Fulham’s Marco Silva, have taken notice of his off-the-ball work and attempted to exploit his weaknesses, as they look to prevent the Egyptian from rediscovering his clinical form.
Arne Slot’s Message of Support
While many observers have pointed to Mohamed Salah’s goal drought as a sign of his dip in form, Arne Slot, the Feyenoord manager, took a more measured and supportive approach. Slot, who has worked with some of Europe’s best players, believes that Mohamed Salah’s current run of misfortune shouldn’t be seen as a negative but rather as a temporary blip in an otherwise stellar career.
“Maybe he should see [criticism] as a compliment because his numbers were not normal [when he was scoring],” Slot remarked after Mohamed Salah’s goalless run continued. “The good thing about Mo is he knows what kind of player he is. Mo will show up again, I don’t worry about that.”
These words from Slot, who has witnessed firsthand the pressure placed on top-level forwards, suggest that Mohamed Salah’s form will inevitably return. He noted that the expectations placed on Mohamed Salah, given his previous goal-scoring feats, were always going to be immense. The fact that Salah’s form has dipped does not diminish the extraordinary achievements he has already accomplished for Liverpool. In fact, Slot believes that Mohamed Salah’s resilience and awareness of his own abilities will ensure he finds his way back to the top in the near future.
A Disappointing Defeat to Fulham
Liverpool’s loss to Fulham on Sunday marked another low point in what has been a challenging period for the team. Despite Mohamed Salah’s struggles, Jurgen Klopp’s side should have been able to cope with the pressure of a mid-table Fulham team, but they were undone by some uncharacteristic errors. Fulham, led by manager Marco Silva, exploited some of Liverpool’s vulnerabilities, including Mohamed Salah’s lack of involvement in key moments, to claim a dramatic 3-2 win.
The defeat leaves Liverpool in a precarious position, having seen their lead in the Premier League standings cut down to just 11 points. While they still sit atop the league, their recent performances have raised questions about their ability to maintain their dominance as the season enters its final stretch. Arsenal, their closest challengers, failed to capitalize on Liverpool’s slip-up, having been held to a 1-1 draw by Everton on Sunday, but the title race remains far from settled.
Marco Silva Exploits Mohamed Salah’s Off-Ball Weaknesses
Fulham’s manager Marco Silva offered insight into the tactical approach his team used to stifle Mohamed Salah during the game. Silva admitted that his side made a concerted effort to target Mohamed Salah’s off-the-ball work, particularly his pressing of defenders, in order to neutralize his influence.
“Andreas [Pereira] and Rodrigo [Muniz] did well in the first pressure and I think it was key to make them uncomfortable in the game,” Silva explained. “The way that Salah will come to press Calvin [Bassey] most of the time, we were able to beat them on the left-hand side.”
Silva’s comments are telling in that they show a strategic focus on exploiting Mohamed Salah’s defensive duties, especially in situations where he is forced to press higher up the pitch. Fulham’s success in finding space on Liverpool’s left-hand side was a crucial part of their game plan, and it ultimately paid off with three goals.
By limiting Salah’s ability to contribute both offensively and defensively, Fulham were able to create opportunities and put Liverpool on the back foot. This tactical approach may serve as a blueprint for other teams looking to exploit the gaps in Mohamed Salah’s game, but it also highlights just how difficult it is to stifle a player of his quality, even when his goal-scoring form is in decline.
The Bigger Picture: Mohamed Salah’s Contribution Beyond Goals
While Salah’s goal drought has captured the headlines, it’s important to remember that his overall contribution to Liverpool’s season goes beyond just goals. The 32-year-old has been involved in numerous key moments, contributing with assists and creating opportunities for his teammates. His creativity, vision, and work rate remain some of the best in the Premier League, and despite the current goal-scoring struggle, he still has a huge impact on Liverpool’s attacking play.
This season, Salah has registered 32 goals and 22 assists across all competitions, a tally that many players would envy. Even in games where he hasn’t been able to score, Salah has often been involved in setting up his teammates, maintaining his role as one of the team’s most dangerous players. His ability to draw defenders out of position, his intelligence in tight spaces, and his consistency in delivering dangerous balls into the box remain invaluable assets for Liverpool.
As the team looks to overcome their recent struggles, Mohamed Salah’s leadership, both on and off the ball, will be crucial in getting them back on track. His influence extends far beyond just the goals he scores, and this must not be forgotten during this brief period of adversity.
Liverpool’s Title Charge in Danger?
Liverpool’s recent slip-ups have added some uncertainty to their title charge. With Manchester City continuing to apply pressure, the margin for error is becoming thinner as the season nears its conclusion. Klopp’s side will need to rebound quickly if they are to fend off the challenge from their rivals and secure another Premier League title.
Salah’s goal drought, while concerning, should not overshadow the larger issue at hand: Liverpool’s overall form. The team’s defense has also been suspect at times, and they will need to tighten up in order to hold onto their position at the top of the table. While Salah’s goals are important, Liverpool’s success will depend on a more collective effort from all players, including key figures like Virgil van Dijk, Jordan Henderson, and Trent Alexander-Arnold.
The Road Ahead for Mohamed Salah
As for Salah, the question remains: how long will this goal drought last? The Egyptian forward is undoubtedly feeling the pressure, but his character and mental strength have been well-documented throughout his career. Having already overcome various challenges, Salah will be determined to return to form and prove that he is still one of the best forwards in the world.
Arne Slot’s faith in Mohamed Salah is a testament to the striker’s abilities and reputation in the footballing world. The Egyptian has built a legacy that few can match, and while he may be going through a rough patch right now, his resilience and focus will ultimately see him through.
For now, Liverpool must remain confident in Salah’s ability to get back to scoring ways. As long as he continues to contribute in other areas and lead the attack with his usual work rate and creativity, it’s only a matter of time before the goals begin to flow once again.
Conclusion
Mohamed Salah’s current goal drought is a rare moment of struggle in an otherwise illustrious career, but both Salah and Liverpool’s supporters can take solace in the fact that this is just a temporary setback. With the support of figures like Arne Slot and the tactical awareness of his opponents like Marco Silva, Mohamed Salah will undoubtedly return to form.
Liverpool’s title ambitions may have taken a hit after the defeat to Fulham, but with Salah’s leadership and the collective effort of the team, they will remain in the fight for the Premier League crown. The next few weeks will be crucial for Klopp’s side, and Mohamed Salah will need to rediscover his lethal touch if Liverpool is to maintain its position at the top. For now, though, fans and players alike can trust in Mohamed Salah’s ability to overcome this challenge and emerge stronger on the other side.
