Liverpool player is more creative than Fernandes and De Bruyne but Slot isn't making the most of him - opinion
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Liverpool have struggled to create and convert as many chances in their three back-to-back defeats.It was a week to forget for Arne Slot and the team when they lost three games in all competitions just before the start of the international break.What is going wrong at the moment for Liverpool is a multitude of issues, with the main three being new signings getting used to the team, the defence, and a lack of consistent creativity up front.The latter has become as pressing an issue, given they were only able to score one goal in both domestic games they lost to Crystal Palace and Chelsea.There has been criticism from pundits and some fans about the way Slot’s side have been playing currently, but they have also highlighted the individual performances of players like Mohamed Salah as an issue.Photo by ABDEL MAJID BZIOUAT/AFP via Getty ImagesMohamed Salah has created the most big chances from open play in the Premier LeagueThe Egyptian has not been on his usual incredible form for the Reds since the start of the season and has struggled to contribute as much as he is used to.There have been suggestions of a ‘decline’ of sorts from a player who had his best individual season for the team last season but it may not be the full story.READ MORE: Mohamed Salah is giving Arne Slot a much bigger issue than just his work-rate at LiverpoolThe legendary 33-year-old, when you look at his numbers for big chances created from open play since 2020/21, shows that maybe the Dutch coach is not utilising him to his full potential.Salah tops the list of most big chances created with 93, which is more than both Bruno Fernandes (88) and Kevin De Bruyne (79).Not only does this show his brilliance, it presents how versatile he is as a creative force in the team and why this season he has been lacking as such.The positions he has been put in this Slot setup currently seem to place him too wide, and without the ball frequently coming down the right channel, he has been unable to replicate what makes him special.It is not a simple fix, but trying to funnel the attack down the right flank and allow for more freedom for the winger to cut inside or drift into different areas benefits the team tenfold.The blame for the drop in performance cannot be solely put on the man who fans have seen take Anfield by storm for eight years.Mohamed Salah cannot be dropped for LiverpoolSome have suggested that the Egyptian should be dropped entirely, despite there not being any real, consistent alternatives.While Federico Chiesa is a great player and should be used more often, he is still more of a super-sub than a regular starter.Watching Salah take his country to another World Cup during this break and seeing the confidence it has instilled in him has proved why he should not be dropped.This is a club legend, and he should be treated as such, so instead of conversations about dropping the brilliant forward, maybe it is time for the team to adapt to get the very best out of him.
