Mohamed Salah's Liverpool Evolution: From Exile to Central Role
When Brighton last visited Anfield, Mohamed Salah's future at Liverpool appeared bleak. The Egyptian forward had been excluded from the squad following a public outburst, missing a Champions League fixture against Inter Milan. His family had been invited to what many speculated could be his final appearance for the club. However, in a dramatic turnaround, Salah was reinstated just hours before the match, coming on as a substitute in a 2-0 victory.
A Resurgence in Involvement
Fast forward ten weeks, and Salah's situation has transformed entirely. Since returning from the Africa Cup of Nations, he has started all six of Liverpool's matches, completing ninety minutes in five. This marks a stark contrast to the period of exile, with manager Arne Slot fully reintegrating him into the lineup. Despite this increased prominence, Salah's goal output has not matched his heightened involvement.
Statistical analysis reveals a curious dichotomy. Beginning with the Brighton match in December, Salah's shot frequency has surged to 3.7 per ninety minutes in the Premier League, up from 2.6 earlier in the campaign. His presence in the opposition penalty area has also grown, with 19.5% of his touches occurring there compared to 14.4% previously. Expected goals and assists metrics show similar improvements, yet actual returns remain subdued.
The Goal Drought and Underlying Factors
Salah's only goal in his last six appearances came from a Champions League free-kick against Qarabag. In the Premier League, he has not scored against English opposition since November 1st against Aston Villa. This barren spell persists despite an expected goals tally of 2.22 since the Brighton game, highlighting a notable efficiency drop from last season's record-breaking 29 goals and 18 assists.
Manager Arne Slot acknowledges the complexity of the issue. "Even last season, Mo had a period where he scored seven in four games, and then five or six games where he didn't score," Slot noted. "So let's see where he is at the end of the season when it comes to goals and assists." The Dutch tactician suggests multiple factors could be at play, including increased defensive attention following Salah's phenomenal previous campaign and instability in the right-back position.
Systemic Changes and New Dynamics
This season represents a transitional phase for Liverpool's attack. For nearly a decade, their offensive efforts revolved around Salah, but new signings Florian Wirtz and Hugo Ekitike are gradually assuming more central roles. The introduction of a traditional number ten and a pacey striker has altered the team's tactical approach, potentially affecting Salah's traditional scoring channels.
Interestingly, Wirtz and Ekitike's metrics have improved since early December, with both players showing higher expected goals and assists as they adapt to Premier League football. Their growing influence coincides with Salah's increased chance creation, suggesting a shifting balance within the attacking unit.
Slot remains optimistic about the overall offensive output. "What I do see is that, in general, the team generates just as many chances as we did last season," he observed. "The team has the most ball possession in the league. I also see us being able to bring our forwards, and not only Mo, into very promising positions in many games. So it will be a combination of factors."
As Liverpool continue their campaign, Salah's role continues to evolve. No longer the solitary focal point, he now operates within a more diversified attacking structure. While his goal tally may have diminished, his overall contribution and involvement have undeniably increased, marking a significant chapter in his Anfield career.
