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Mohamed Salah's current form at Liverpool has raised some questions, but concerns may be overstated according to an analysis by ESPN. Despite recent fluctuations in his finishing efficiency, Salah has historically outperformed expectations significantly, scoring 8.1 more goals than expected over his eight-plus seasons at the club. His ability to influence matches goes beyond just goal-scoring, with his overall contribution remaining valuable.
Recent tactical changes under manager Arne Slot, who took over Liverpool following Jürgen Klopp, are seen as a key factor in Salah’s adjustment period. Slot’s system emphasizes collective attacking movement and tries to integrate new talents such as Cody Gakpo and Florian Wirtz. This shift means Salah is adapting to a different role and build-up play, which can temporarily affect his goal output and shooting efficiency.
The arrival of dynamic young players like Gakpo and Wirtz also changes the offensive balance of the team, potentially reducing the singular focus on Salah as Liverpool's main attacking outlet. This broader distribution of offensive responsibilities could ultimately benefit the team but requires Salah to modify his style and timing.
Statistically, Salah remains a top contributor, with a consistent combination of goals and assists. In the 2024-25 Premier League season, he recorded 29 goals and 18 assists in 38 appearances, marking him still among the league’s elite attackers. His Champions League performances, while less highlighted recently, show his continued involvement and importance to Liverpool’s offensive efforts.
In summary, while Salah’s elite finishing has seen some recent variation, his overall form and contribution remain strong amidst the tactical evolution under Arne Slot. The adaptation to new teammates and systems suggests it is premature to sound alarms about his long-term effectiveness at Liverpool.