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It has been a while, but Liverpool's forward returned taking on the main part in recent days with a brace in Casablanca that secured the Egyptian team's position at the 2026 World Cup. The main man stepping on center stage another time. Liverpool require him to remain there.

Causes for Variable Displays

We see many causes why inconsistent, lackluster displays have been the common thread characterizing Liverpool's start to their title defence, whether they recorded seven straight victories or, before Manchester United's arrival to Anfield on Sunday, three consecutive defeats. The upheaval from numerous offseason moves, Arne Slot's search for his best XI, the late forward's tragic death; the winger has endured the impact of them all during his atypically low-key start to the campaign.

Sunday's Key Fixture

Sunday's key fixture could deliver the catalyst for the source of a record 16 scores in 17 appearances for Liverpool against Manchester United, who are paying their 100th visit to Anfield and have not won at their archrivals for over nine years. Salah will present the manager with a further unexpected problem, however, should he remain caught in the turmoil much longer.

Current Display

Liverpool's head coach must have noticed the irony of Salah's first goal against Djibouti recently. Drilled directly with the exterior of his stronger foot inside the close post, his eighth score of the national team's World Cup qualifying campaign originated from an almost identical position to his expensive error versus Chelsea prior to the break for internationals.

If that right-foot effort been scored moments after the resumption at Stamford Bridge we would even now be eulogising the new signing's maiden excellent setup in the English top flight. Analyses into Salah's decline and Liverpool's infrequent defeat streak might as well have been delayed. Instead, Wirtz's search goes on while the coach fumes over a third consecutive loss on the road, two inflicted by last-minute winners and one the result of a debatable penalty. Fine lines, as Slot repeated on recently, but they do not camouflage bigger issues.

Previous Campaign's Influence

Salah was crucial in propelling the side towards a historic 20th crown last season while uncertainty over his career lingered in the backdrop. We achieved almost the best out of Salah last term,” said Slot when his top scorer signed an extension in April. We have seen a noticeable decrease on an personal and team level since. The lineup, not the details of a contract, are responsible.

Statistical Drop

His contribution in terms of scores and setups is reduced half on the same stage last season, from a total eight in the initial seven matches of last season to four (a pair of goals and a couple of assists) this term. The count of shots has dropped from 22 to twelve while accurate shots have fallen from fifteen to five, leading to a significant decline in shooting accuracy (excluding blocks) from 78.9% to 55.6 percent, statistics show.

A particular skill that has stayed stable is his chance creation. With 12 key passes, versus fourteen at the same stage of the previous season, his stats are among the top in the continent and comparable in the group of Lamine Yamal and Arda Güler, his juniors by 15 and thirteen years each.

Collective Display

Measures of team display will trouble the coach further. Salah had 76 contacts in the enemy penalty area in the initial seven league games of last season. This term's tally is 39. The stats are reflective of the squad's problems overall. Just United and Arsenal have taken a greater number of shots on goal than them now, but Liverpool's rate of attempts from within the goal area is the poorest in the division, their percentage from distance among the top. Liverpool's percentage of accurate shots – 28.4 percent – is as well among the poorest in the competition.

During the initial phase of the previous campaign we mainly found the net from a moment of magic from an attacker and in the second half it was mostly from a set piece,” Slot said. “Now we lack as numerous moments of genius and we haven’t scored from dead balls. But we are nonetheless the side that from live action creates the most xG chances.”

Recent Additions

They aren't punishing rivals in the manner Slot imagined when Florian Wirtz, the French forward and the Swedish striker were acquired in the offseason, while the team remain the division's joint third-highest goalscorers. A tie on Sunday would be sufficient for Slot to reach the 100-point total in fewer games than any coach in the club's past (46). Think what his forward line will do when it finally gels. The side are still a squad of exceptional skill, equipped to sparking and chasing any foe for the title, but cohesion is absent. This cannot be blamed on the summer recruits by themselves.

Individual and Collective Challenges

Salah is not the sole key member to experience a decline, with the midfielder regaining to fitness and Ibrahima Konaté toiling. But he finds himself at the core of the disruption that has of late affected the club. That extends to a individual level, with his sadness over the death of Jota obvious on that emotional first game against Bournemouth. The effect of his loss can not be measured nor overlooked.

Tactical Adjustments

Last season, he