Drop Him Tonight: Slot Should Axe Salah by Unleashing Liverpool Ace for the 1st Time
Perhaps expectations got the better of us. After all, it was just Old Trafford. Liverpool encountered a tougher challenge against Nuno Espirito Santo’s Nottingham Forest, and this time, they came up short.
Arne Slot has managed to secure nine points from a possible 12 in his early days as Liverpool’s manager. While this is a decent start, the Dutchman must ensure that a single setback does not spiral into a prolonged slump, which could tarnish the optimism of his honeymoon period.
The fixtures are going to pile up quickly. With an expanded Champions League campaign blending with the Carabao Cup, Liverpool will face a relentless stream of top-tier competition.
Liverpool’s performance lacked energy and focus, evoking troubling memories from the latter part of last season. However, Nottingham Forest deserve credit for their cohesive and determined display, capitalizing on their chance when it counted. Their unbeaten run continues, now at the expense of Slot’s.
Now, the focus shifts away from the Premier League for the first time under Slot’s leadership. The Champions League returns, and Liverpool are set to face AC Milan at the San Siro. As the Reds prepare for the clash, they may even contemplate the bold decision to rest Mohamed Salah on Tuesday.
Why Slot Should Axe Mohamed Salah
It is evident that Liverpool underperformed significantly on Saturday, a conclusion that becomes even clearer upon closer examination. Since the game, there has been extensive scrutiny of their performance, spreading like dampness on an old wall.
Liverpool’s disappointing showing could be attributed to an off day or the challenges of adapting to a new system under a new manager. Early-stage hiccups are expected, but ongoing issues must be addressed promptly.
Such setbacks cannot persist. Liverpool appeared out of sync and lagged behind, and the barely altered starting lineup during this first month of the new era needs to be reassessed. Otherwise, manager Slot might encounter the same problems as his predecessor, including potential injury setbacks to key players.
While Mohamed Salah was not the only Liverpool player to struggle on Saturday, his performance was particularly lackluster. The team might have been misled by their strong start to the season, but as captain Virgil van Dijk noted, the recent defeat was “unacceptable” and serves as a “reality check.”
Salah has contributed three goals and three assists so far this season. However, after starting both of Egypt’s recent international matches, it is crucial to rotate him to manage his fitness and workload effectively.
| Mohamed Salah: Liverpool Dribbling Stats (PL) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Season | Dribbles (per game) | Success rate |
| 24/25 | 1.3 | 38% |
| 23/24 | 0.8 | 36% |
| 22/23 | 1.3 | 41% |
| 21/22 | 1.5 | 43% |
| 20/21 | 1.0 | 43% |
| 19/20 | 1.5 | 60% |
| 18/19 | 2.1 | 53% |
| 17/18 | 2.2 | 63% |
| Stats Source: Sofascore | ||
Although Mohamed Salah is a world-class player, he is now 32 years old. During his debut season with Liverpool in the 2017/18 Premier League, he averaged 3.8 ball recoveries per 90 minutes. However, this season he has recorded just 2.31 recoveries per 90, according to FBref. This decline is to be expected as Salah has adapted his playing style, yet he remains one of the top players in the game.
Last weekend, AC Milan demonstrated their dominance by securing a four-goal lead against Venezia within the first 30 minutes. Any signs of sluggishness will be quickly exposed in such matches.
Given the current circumstances, it may be time to consider making a few changes. Diogo Jota has struggled to make an impact in recent games and has not scored, while Luis Diaz had a poor performance against the Tricky Trees. With Cody Gakpo and Darwin Nunez available, it might be the right moment for Slot to make some adjustments.
As for Salah, his situation is somewhat different. He could benefit from a rest and could be brought on after the break against their Italian opponents on Tuesday if needed. With Harvey Elliott sidelined due to a foot injury, it might be an opportune moment to introduce Federico Chiesa into the lineup for the first time.
Federico Chiesa Should Replace Salah
Liverpool faced a challenging summer as their effort to acquire Martin Zubimendi from Real Sociedad was unsuccessful due to the midfielder’s preference to stay in the Basque Country. Additionally, the club did not find viable replacements and overlooked the need to upgrade their defense.
On a positive note, Liverpool signed Federico Chiesa from Juventus for a bargain £12.5 million. Chiesa had been anticipated to depart Turin, with only a year remaining on his contract. Liverpool acted swiftly to secure his services, avoiding competition from clubs such as Barcelona and strengthening their attacking lineup.
Though Chiesa has yet to make his first appearance for Liverpool, he is expected to be available soon. He utilized the recent international break to improve his fitness and get acclimated to Slot’s strategic approach.
Chiesa could be a valuable asset against Milan, particularly with Gakpo or Nunez anticipated to start in the upcoming midweek match. While Salah remains a top-tier playmaker, his pace has diminished, making it challenging for him to stretch the flanks and overload effectively as Chiesa might.
The Italy international is among the top 1% of forwards in Europe’s top five leagues over the past year for shot-creating actions and ranks in the top 3% for progressive carries per 90 minutes.
In contrast, Salah is positioned in the top 19% for shot-creating actions but only in the top 44% for progressive carries per 90 minutes.
This scenario could enable the 26-year-old to form a dynamic partnership with Gakpo, whose finishing skills and versatility as a central striker could be crucial in breaking down the host’s defense tomorrow.
Additionally, Liverpool’s new addition netted ten goals in 29 starts across all competitions for Juventus last year, overcoming the challenges of previous injury-plagued seasons.
| Mohamed Salah: Liverpool Dribbling Stats (PL) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Season | Dribbles (per game) | Success rate |
| 24/25 | 1.3 | 38% |
| 23/24 | 0.8 | 36% |
| 22/23 | 1.3 | 41% |
| 21/22 | 1.5 | 43% |
| 20/21 | 1.0 | 43% |
| 19/20 | 1.5 | 60% |
| 18/19 | 2.1 | 53% |
| 17/18 | 2.2 | 63% |
| Stats Source: Sofascore | ||
He is familiar with Milan and believes he has the ability to break down their defense. Liverpool are at their most dangerous when Salah starts, but he has recently played 75 minutes in Botswana and 90 minutes for Egypt. To prepare for the challenging fixtures ahead, he needs to be rested.
This decision could prove beneficial in the long run.
In other Liverpool news, Two Liverpool Youngsters to Get Milan Chance as Arne Slot Prepares for UCL Game as Reds Boss
