The once-unstoppable force of Mohamed Salah at Liverpool has hit an unexpected stumbling block, with the Egyptian King's recent performances raising eyebrows across the Premier League.
What's Gone Wrong for Salah?
Since returning from the Africa Cup of Nations where Egypt suffered early elimination, Salah has looked a shadow of the player who terrorised defences for years. The statistics make for concerning reading - with just one goal in his last seven appearances across all competitions.
Former Liverpool defender Stephen Warnock didn't mince words when analysing the situation: "There's a noticeable drop in his sharpness and confidence. We're seeing uncharacteristic missed chances and a lack of that clinical edge that made him world-class."
The AFCON Hangover Effect
Salah's international commitments appear to have taken a significant toll. The emotional disappointment of Egypt's early exit combined with physical fatigue has created a perfect storm affecting his club form.
Liverpool's coaching staff face a delicate balancing act - they need their main man back to his best quickly, but pushing too hard could risk further decline or injury.
Bigger Implications for Liverpool's Season
With crucial matches approaching in both the Premier League and Europa League, Liverpool's title ambitions could hinge on Salah rediscovering his magic. The Reds' attack has looked less potent without their talisman firing on all cylinders.
Jurgen Klopp now faces one of his biggest challenges - how to reignite the spark in a player who has been so consistently brilliant throughout his Anfield career. The coming weeks will be crucial in determining whether this is just a temporary blip or something more concerning.
