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It's been a while, but Liverpool's forward reappeared assuming the starring role in recent days with a brace in Casablanca that secured Egypt's place at the 2026 World Cup. The star claiming the spotlight once more. The Merseyside club require him to keep that position.

Causes for Inconsistent Performances

There exist many factors why variable, unimpressive performances have been the recurring theme characterizing Liverpool's start to their championship defense, if they produced seven wins in a row or, before Manchester United's arrival to Liverpool's home ground on Sunday, three losses in a row. The turmoil from multiple new signings, Arne Slot's quest for his best XI, the late forward's passing; the winger has experienced the consequences of them all during his uncharacteristically quiet beginning to the term.

The Weekend's Key Fixture

Sunday's big match could deliver the catalyst for the origin of a record 16 goals in 17 appearances for Liverpool against United, who are paying their 100th appearance to Anfield and have not triumphed at their biggest foes for over nine years. Salah will create the manager with an additional unexpected problem, though, should he remain caught in the upheaval much longer.

Current Performance

The team's manager must have seen the contrast of the player's first goal against the opponent last Wednesday. Struck first time with the exterior of his left foot inside the close post, Salah's eighth goal of Egypt's World Cup qualifying campaign was from an nearly the same spot to his big mistake versus Chelsea before the international break.

Had that shot with his right been scored shortly after the resumption at Stamford Bridge we would still be praising the new signing's maiden sublime setup in the league. Discussions into his dip and Liverpool's rare losing streak might as well have been delayed. Instead, the midfielder's search persists while the coach broods over a third loss on the road, two inflicted by late goals and one the result of a disputed penalty. Fine lines, as Slot reiterated on Friday, but they cannot hide underlying concerns.

Previous Campaign's Contribution

Salah was crucial in pushing the side towards a historic 20th championship the prior campaign while uncertainty over his long-term plans rumbled in the background. “We brought nearly the maximum out of Mo this season,” said Slot when his leading striker signed an extension in the spring. There has been a clear decline on an personal and collective level since. The lineup, not the details of a contract, are responsible.

Statistical Drop

His output in terms of goals and assists is reduced 50% on the corresponding point the previous term, from a combined 8 in the first seven matches of last season to 4 (two goals and a couple of assists) this term. The count of shots has decreased from 22 to 12 while accurate shots have fallen from 15 to five, contributing to a steep fall in shooting accuracy (not counting blocks) from 78.9% to 55.6%, data show.

A single trait that has held more steady is his playmaking. With twelve key passes, against 14 at the equivalent point of last campaign, his figures are among the finest in Europe and comparable in the company of young talents and Arda Güler, his younger counterparts by fifteen and 13 years each.

Collective Display

Measures of team display will concern the coach additionally. He had seventy-six contacts in the opposition penalty area in the first seven matches of the previous term. The current campaign's count is 39. The stats are symptomatic of the squad's difficulties in general. Only United and Arsenal have tried more attempts on goal than them in the current term, but Liverpool's percentage of shots from within the goal area is the smallest in the top flight, their ratio from distance among the greatest. The club's proportion of shots on target – 28.4% – is also among the poorest in the league.

“In the first half of last season we mainly found the net from a moment of magic from a forward and in the later stage it was more from a free-kick or corner,” the manager said. “Currently we lack as numerous acts of brilliance and we have not found the net from set pieces. But we are still the side that from open play generates the highest quality opportunities.”

Summer Arrivals

They aren't hurting foes in the fashion the coach imagined when Florian Wirtz, the French forward and Alexander Isak were acquired this summer, while the team are the division's third-best goalscorers. A draw on Sunday would be enough for Slot to attain the 100-point mark in less games than any coach in Liverpool's history (forty-six). Imagine what his attack will do when it finally gels. The side are still a squad of outstanding skill, equipped to sparking and reeling in any rival for the title, but cohesion is missing. This cannot be pinned on the recent arrivals only.

Personal and Team Challenges

The player is not the sole senior member to experience a drop-off, with the midfielder working his way back to match sharpness and the defender toiling. But he finds himself at the heart of the disruption that has lately engulfed the club. That applies to a individual level, with his sadness over the passing of Jota clear on that poignant season opener against Bournemouth. The effect of Jota's death can not be measured nor dismissed.

Strategic Adjustments

Previously, he