The Liverpool boss backs his star forward after a rare off-night in front of goal, insisting the chances will soon start to fall.
Liverpool manager Arne Slot has come to the defense of Mohamed Salah after the Egyptian forward endured a frustrating night in front of goal, missing a series of chances that proved costly in a 2-1 defeat to Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.
The loss, Liverpool’s third in a row across all competitions, was sealed by a dramatic late winner from Chelsea’s Estevao. However, the match could have had a very different outcome had Salah converted one of several clear opportunities, the best of which saw him fire wide from close range just after halftime.
When questioned about his star player’s uncharacteristic profligacy, Slot was quick to shield Salah from criticism. “What I like is that he got many times in a position he would like to be in, and I would like him to be in,” Slot stated. “He has shown in his career and since I’m here that he can score goals. Today, he had many opportunities to do what he has done so often, but he is a human being. It is not like every chance he gets is always a goal.”
The manager also pondered if Salah’s rhythm was affected by being rested for the midweek Champions League match against Galatasaray, a tactical decision that may have had unintended consequences. “Did he create so much today because he didn’t play during the week? Or did he miss the chances because he missed a bit of sharpness?… We will never know,” Slot mused.
The performance highlighted Salah’s current lean spell, with the forward now without a goal in his last four matches. This stands in stark contrast to his prolific form last season, where he netted 34 times on the way to the Premier League title.
Slot also addressed the budding partnership between Salah and record signing Alexander Isak, noting that their connection is a work in progress. He pinpointed the team’s overall build-up play in the first half as a larger issue than any disconnect between his attackers. “The more they play together, the more they will connect,” Slot affirmed, expressing confidence that the goals will soon return for his talismanic winger.
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