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It has been a while, but Mohamed Salah was back taking on the main part recently with two goals in Morocco that confirmed Egypt's position at the global tournament. The star stepping on the spotlight yet again. Liverpool require him to stay there.

Reasons for Inconsistent Displays

There are numerous reasons why variable, lackluster showings have been the common thread characterizing Liverpool's beginning to their title defence, if they achieved seven wins in a row or, before Manchester United's arrival to Anfield on Sunday, three losses in a row. The turmoil from numerous summer changes, Arne Slot's quest for his ideal lineup, Diogo Jota's loss; the winger has felt the consequences of them all during his unusually subdued start to the term.

Sunday's Showpiece Occasion

Sunday's showpiece occasion could offer the impetus for the origin of a impressive 16 goals in 17 games for Liverpool against Manchester United, who are paying their 100th visit to Anfield and have not triumphed at their biggest foes for more than nine years. Salah will present the manager with an additional unexpected problem, however, should he stay caught in the upheaval much longer.

Recent Display

The team's manager likely recognized the paradox of the player's opening strike against the opponent last Wednesday. Drilled immediately with the outside of his left foot inside the close post, Salah's eighth score of Egypt's World Cup qualifying campaign originated from an almost identical location to his big mistake versus Chelsea prior to the international break.

Had that shot with his right been scored moments after the resumption at Stamford Bridge we would still be celebrating the new signing's first superb pass in the Premier League. Analyses into Salah's dip and Liverpool's rare defeat streak might also have been avoided. Rather, Wirtz's wait goes on while Slot broods over a third consecutive defeat away, two caused by last-minute winners and one the result of a debatable penalty. Fine lines, as Slot repeated on recently, but they do not camouflage underlying concerns.

Previous Campaign's Impact

The forward was key in driving Liverpool towards a tying 20th crown last season while uncertainty over his long-term plans lingered in the background. “We brought nearly the best out of Mo last term,” said the manager when his leading striker signed a fresh deal in the spring. There has been a clear decline on an personal and collective level since. The team, not the terms of a contract, are accountable.

Statistical Decline

His output in terms of goals and assists is lower half on the same stage the previous term, from a combined 8 in the initial seven matches of last season to four (two goals and a couple of assists) this season. The count of shots has fallen from 22 to 12 while accurate shots have fallen from fifteen to five, contributing to a sharp drop in shot accuracy (not counting blocks) from 78.9 percent to 55.6 percent, statistics show.

A single trait that has stayed stable is his playmaking. With twelve chances created, versus 14 at the equivalent point of the previous season, his stats are among the best in the continent and up in the company of young talents and rising stars, his juniors by 15 and 13 years each.

Collective Display

Measures of collective output will worry the coach more. Salah had seventy-six contacts in the opposition box in the first seven matches of the previous term. This season's total is 39. The numbers are reflective of the team's problems in general. Just Manchester United and the Gunners have taken a greater number of shots on goal than Liverpool this season, but Liverpool's percentage of attempts from within the goal area is the lowest in the division, their ratio from distance among the greatest. Liverpool's percentage of efforts on goal – 28.4% – is also among the lowest in the competition.

During the initial phase of last season we primarily found the net from a special moment from an attacker and in the later stage it was more from a free-kick or corner,” Slot said. “Now we lack as numerous acts of brilliance and we have not found the net from dead balls. But we are nonetheless the side that from open play generates the most expected goals opportunities.”

New Signings

They are not punishing opponents in the fashion Slot envisaged when Florian Wirtz, the French forward and Alexander Isak were signed this summer, although Liverpool remain the division's equal third-top goalscorers. A tie on the weekend would be sufficient for him to attain the 100-point total in less games than any boss in Liverpool's history (forty-six). Imagine what his offense will do when it clicks. The side are still a team of outstanding skill, able to starting and catching any rival for the title, but unity is lacking. This cannot be blamed on the recent arrivals only.

Personal and Team Challenges

Salah is not the only established player to suffer a dip, with the midfielder returning to form and Ibrahima Konaté struggling. But he ends up at the heart of the upheaval that has recently engulfed the club. That applies to a personal level, with Salah's grief over the passing of Diogo Jota clear on that emotional opening night against Bournemouth. The effect of his loss can neither be quantified nor dismissed.

Tactical Changes

Previously, he