Arne Slot admits Mohamed Salah is ‘out of form’ – and explains why

Liverpool head coach Arne Slot has publicly admitted that Mohamed Salah is currently not performing at his usual world-class level, but he insists that the Egyptian’s dip in form is more a reflection of the team’s tactical evolution than an individual decline.

Salah, who remains Liverpool’s biggest attacking threat, has started the season with three goals and three assists in nine appearances. While those numbers might look solid on paper, they pale in comparison to his extraordinary output from last season — when he racked up 34 goals and 23 assists in all competitions.

The Egyptian forward has found the back of the net just five times in his last 20 games, stretching back to March, which for a player of Salah’s standards is considered a rough patch. Slot, however, was quick to put the situation into perspective when asked if his star man is out of form.

“I see the same with Mo’s form now as I saw in the second part of last season,” Slot said. “He scored 12 goals in that period — five from penalties and one from a set-piece. So, in open play, that’s six goals. It’s not that Mo suddenly forgot how to score; it’s about how teams are playing against us now.”

The Dutch manager went on to explain that Liverpool’s opponents have changed their approach drastically, especially after the Reds’ dominant performances last season. “Compare how we won away against Manchester United, where they tried to play from the back and we took the ball off them three times, to the way they played at Anfield where Onana only went long,” he noted. “That difference tells you everything. Teams have adjusted.”

Slot pointed out that Liverpool now face far more defensive and cautious setups, which limit Salah’s space to exploit. “It’s one of the reasons why it’s more difficult for us to score from open play. Mo is part of a team that faces different kinds of opposition than before,” he said. “And when that happens, your numbers change — not just for one player, but for everyone.”

Indeed, Liverpool’s goal output from open play has dipped noticeably since the latter half of last season. Slot admitted that this has been a collective issue rather than an individual one. “Now you’re focused on Mo, next time it’s Florian [Wirtz], then Cody [Gakpo]. What I’m trying to say is that we as a team haven’t scored as many open-play goals as we did before. This is something we’re working hard on.”

The Liverpool boss also emphasized that the team’s ongoing adaptation to his tactical setup is a key part of the process. Having shifted from a more traditional 4-3-3 formation to something closer to a 4-2-3-1, Slot believes the change was necessary to unlock new attacking dimensions — even if it temporarily impacts goal-scoring numbers.

“The more we play together in this new setup, the better it will become,” Slot said confidently. “We still struggle a bit to find enough goals from open play, but I’m not worried. Once our understanding improves, the goals will flow again — and Mo will benefit most of all.”

Liverpool’s transition under Slot has been far from smooth, but there’s a clear strategic vision behind it. By introducing a No. 10 in Florian Wirtz, Slot aims to make Liverpool less predictable and more versatile in the final third. That evolution, while tactical, has naturally affected the dynamics of Salah’s role — with the Egyptian now operating in more congested spaces and often serving as a decoy to open lanes for others.

Opponents have learned that stopping Salah is half the battle against Liverpool, and many have structured their entire defensive plans around him. But Slot remains convinced that once the team fully gels in his system, Salah’s numbers will spike again. “He’s too good, too professional, and too determined to stay quiet for long,” the manager added with a smile.

For now, the message from Slot is clear: Liverpool’s slight attacking struggles are a product of evolution, not regression. Salah’s form may appear to dip, but in the bigger picture, it’s part of a process designed to make the Reds even stronger in the months ahead.

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