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It has been some time, but the Egyptian star was back playing the starring role in recent days with a brace in Casablanca that confirmed the Egyptian team's spot at the 2026 World Cup. The main man stepping on the spotlight once more. The Merseyside club must have him to keep that position.

Factors for Unsteady Performances

There exist numerous reasons why unsteady, lackluster showings have been the common thread defining Liverpool's beginning to their title defence, if they achieved seven straight victories or, before the Red Devils' visit to Anfield on Sunday, three consecutive defeats. The upheaval from so many summer changes, the coach's hunt for his top team, Diogo Jota's loss; Salah has endured the consequences of them all during his uncharacteristically quiet opening to the campaign.

Sunday's Key Fixture

Sunday's showpiece occasion could deliver the spark for the cause of a impressive 16 goals in 17 outings for the club against United, who are paying their centenary trip to Anfield and have not won at their fierce rivals for almost a decade. Salah will present the manager with an additional surprise issue, though, if he continue lost in the turmoil indefinitely.

Latest Form

The team's head coach likely noticed the paradox of Salah's first goal against the opponent last Wednesday. Struck directly with the exterior of his stronger foot inside the close post, his eighth strike of the national team's World Cup qualifying campaign originated from an nearly the same spot to his costly miss versus Chelsea prior to the international break.

If that attempt been finished moments after the restart at Chelsea's ground we would still be celebrating Florian Wirtz's maiden excellent pass in the English top flight. Inquests into his dip and the team's rare losing run might as well have been postponed. Instead, Wirtz's search persists while Slot stews over a third consecutive loss on the road, a couple inflicted by late goals and another the result of a disputed penalty. Small margins, as Slot reiterated on Friday, but they cannot hide larger problems.

Previous Campaign's Contribution

Salah was instrumental in propelling Liverpool towards a record-equalling 20th championship the prior campaign while doubt over his future rumbled in the background. “We brought nearly the maximum out of Salah this season,” said Slot when his leading striker signed a new two‑year contract in April. We have seen a noticeable drop-off on an individual and collective level since. The team, not the details of a deal, are accountable.

Performance Drop

His production in terms of scores and setups is lower half on the same stage last season, from a combined eight in the first seven matches of last season to four (two goals and two assists) this season. His number of shots has dropped from 22 to 12 while accurate shots have declined from 15 to five, contributing to a steep decline in conversion rate (not counting blocks) from 78.9 percent to 55.6 percent, statistics show.

A particular skill that has stayed stable is Salah's chance creation. With twelve opportunities made, compared with 14 at the comparable period of last campaign, his numbers remain among the best in Europe and comparable in the ranks of young talents and Arda Güler, his younger counterparts by fifteen and thirteen years respectively.

Team Display

Metrics of team display will worry Slot additionally. He had 76 contacts in the opposition penalty area in the opening seven fixtures of the previous term. This season's tally is 39. The stats are indicative of the squad's difficulties as a whole. Just United and Arsenal have tried more shots on goal than them now, but Liverpool's percentage of attempts from within the six-yard area is the poorest in the top flight, their share from outside the area among the highest. Liverpool's rate of accurate shots – 28.4 percent – is also among the lowest in the league.

During the initial phase of last season we mostly scored from a special moment from one of our front three and in the second half it was more from a free-kick or corner,” the manager said. “This season we haven’t had as numerous moments of genius and we have not found the net from set pieces. But we are nonetheless the team that from general play produces the most expected goals opportunities.”

Recent Additions

They aren't punishing rivals in the fashion the coach imagined when Florian Wirtz, Hugo Ekitiké and the Swedish striker were acquired this summer, while the team remain the division's joint third-highest scorers. A draw on the weekend would be enough for him to achieve the century of points in less games than any boss in Liverpool's history (46). Imagine what his offense will do when it finally gels. Liverpool are still a squad of outstanding skill, able to igniting and reeling in any rival for the title, but unity is lacking. That can not be blamed on the new signings alone.

Personal and Collective Problems

The player is not the only established member to suffer a drop-off, with the midfielder regaining to fitness and Ibrahima Konaté struggling. But he finds himself at the heart of the upheaval that has lately affected Liverpool. This applies to a individual level, with his grief over the death of Jota clear on that emotional first game against Bournemouth. The effect of Jota's loss can neither be measured nor dismissed.

Tactical Shifts

In the prior campaign, he