Arne Slot explains Mo Salah’s poor Liverpool form | OneFootball

Liverpool Boss Explains Salah’s Scoring Shift

Mo Salah’s goal return has sparked debate in recent weeks, yet Arne Slot insists the issue extends far beyond one player. Speaking to liverpoolfc.com, the Liverpool head coach outlined how evolving opposition tactics and a reshaped frontline are influencing the Egyptian’s output.

Adapting To New Challenges

Salah scored 12 goals in the second half of last season, although only six came from open play. That pattern has continued into this campaign. Slot acknowledged the trend, but urged a wider view of the situation.

He explained, “Mo has a part of this, already you could see this in the second half of last season and the first part of this season. But now you are focused on Mo, the next time you are focused on Florian Wirtz then you are focused on Cody Gakpo… what I’m trying to say is we don’t score as many open-play goals anymore as we did in the first part of last season.”

Defenders have stopped engaging high up the pitch, forcing Liverpool to break down compact blocks rather than counter into space.

“If you compare how we won the away game against Man United, where they tried to play out from the back and we took the ball off them three times, to how United played at Anfield, where [Andre] Onana only went long, then that is one of the answers why it is more difficult for us to score open-play goals.”

Evolving Role In Liverpool’s Attack

Salah remains central to Liverpool’s plans, however his responsibilities have shifted. At 33, he is managing his output more selectively, often drifting deeper to link play rather than remaining fixed on the last defender.

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The arrival of Alexander Isak and the rise of Florian Wirtz have distributed creative responsibility across the forward line. That variation is still bedding in, as shown by Slot’s decision to rest Salah against Galatasaray, a call that raised an eyebrow but highlighted his long-term thinking.