Going back further, Salah appears to have lost out somewhat from Alexander-Arnold’s repositioning as an inverted full-back. Without the latter’s threat on that side, it is easier for opponents to mark Salah out of the game.
Salah can benefit from greater control under Slot
Liverpool’s collapsing form in 2024 is related to the wildness of Klopp’s latest system and Salah has been one of its victims.
They have won 28 points from losing positions this season and throughout 2023/24 their matches have felt too chaotic, lacking the composure – and the anchor – that was there when Fabinho was in the middle and Roberto Firmino stabilised the front line.
These days there is no counter-balance for Salah, a maverick talent to say the least, and the cumulative effect has been to untether the Egyptian.
The appointment of Arne Slot might just change that, if reports of the Dutchman succeeding Klopp are true.