The pressure is mounting on Arne Slot, Liverpool’s new manager, and the source of his potential downfall might be the team’s biggest star: Mohamed Salah.
During a recent match, PSV Eindhoven scored their second goal after a moment that has sparked intense scrutiny of Salah’s performance. Former Liverpool midfielder Didi Hamann believes Slot faces a critical decision that could define his tenure.
Hamann argues that Slot must consider dropping Salah for the upcoming Premier League clash against West Ham. Failure to do so, he suggests, could jeopardize Slot’s position as manager.
The specific incident in question involved Salah allowing a PSV player to bypass him with minimal effort, directly contributing to the goal. Hamann described the play as “disgraceful” for a player of Salah’s caliber.
It’s a stunning critique, considering Salah’s previous success. Last season, he was a dominant force, scoring 29 goals and providing 18 assists in 38 Premier League games, leading Liverpool to a championship title.
Slot initially altered Salah’s role, removing the defensive duties previously assigned by Jurgen Klopp. This change proved effective in the prior campaign, but the current season has told a different story – both Liverpool and Salah are struggling to find form.
The issue isn’t a lack of ability, but a perceived lack of effort. Another former Liverpool player, Danny Murphy, recently voiced similar concerns, questioning why Slot hasn’t addressed the issue directly with Salah.
Murphy points out that Salah himself admitted to enjoying the reduced defensive workload under Slot, but that this freedom has come at a cost to the team’s overall balance and defensive solidity.
The debate centers on whether Salah’s offensive brilliance outweighs his defensive shortcomings. Slot now faces a difficult choice: prioritize a star player’s comfort or demand greater contribution from him for the good of the team, potentially risking a fractured relationship and a managerial crisis.
The upcoming match against West Ham will be a crucial test. Slot’s decision regarding Salah’s inclusion in the starting lineup will be heavily analyzed, and could very well determine the trajectory of his career at Liverpool.
