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It's been a while, but Liverpool's forward reappeared playing the starring role in recent days with a brace in Casablanca that sealed Egypt's spot at the global tournament. The key player claiming the spotlight yet again. The Merseyside club require him to remain there.

Causes for Variable Displays

There exist several factors why inconsistent, lackluster performances have been the recurring theme defining Liverpool's beginning to their championship defense, if they achieved seven straight victories or, prior to Manchester United's trip to Liverpool's home ground on Sunday, a losing run. The disruption from so many new signings, the coach's hunt for his best XI, Diogo Jota's passing; the winger has felt the consequences of them all during his uncharacteristically low-key start to the season.

The Weekend's Big Match

Sunday's showpiece occasion could provide the impetus for the cause of a impressive 16 scores in 17 appearances for Liverpool against United, who are making their centenary trip to Anfield and have not triumphed at their biggest foes for over nine years. Salah will create Slot with another surprise issue, yet, if he remain caught in the turmoil indefinitely.

Current Display

The team's head coach must have recognized the paradox of the player's opening strike against the opponent in midweek. Swept directly with the exterior of his left foot inside the front post, Salah's eighth score of Egypt's qualification run was from an almost identical position to his big mistake in the Chelsea match before the national team pause.

If that shot with his right been finished shortly after the resumption at Chelsea's ground we would still be eulogising the new signing's maiden sublime pass in the league. Inquests into his dip and the team's rare defeat streak might also have been postponed. Rather, Wirtz's wait continues while Slot broods over a third away defeat, two inflicted by last-minute winners and another the outcome of a controversial spot-kick. Fine lines, as he repeated on recently, but they do not mask underlying concerns.

Previous Campaign's Impact

The forward was key in propelling Liverpool towards a record-equalling 20th crown last season while doubt over his long-term plans lingered in the background. We extracted almost the utmost out of Salah that campaign,” said Slot when his top scorer signed a fresh deal in April. We have seen a noticeable decrease on an individual and collective level since. The squad, not the terms of a deal, are responsible.

Statistical Drop

The 33-year-old's contribution in terms of scores and assists is down 50% on the same point the previous term, from a total 8 in the opening seven league games of last season to 4 (a pair of goals and two assists) this season. His number of shots has decreased from 22 to 12 while shots on target have fallen from 15 to 5, leading to a sharp drop in conversion rate (excluding blocks) from 78.9% to 55.6%, figures show.

One attribute that has stayed stable is his chance creation. With twelve chances created, versus 14 at the comparable period of last term, his stats are among the top in Europe and comparable in the company of young talents and Arda Güler, his juniors by 15 and thirteen years respectively.

Team Output

Measures of team display will concern the coach more. Salah had 76 touches in the opposition box in the first seven matches of last season. This term's total is 39. The numbers are symptomatic of the squad's problems as a whole. Only United and the Gunners have tried a greater number of shots on goal than them now, but Liverpool's percentage of attempts from inside the six-yard area is the smallest in the Premier League, their percentage from long range among the top. The club's rate of shots on target – 28.4% – is as well among the weakest in the competition.

During the initial phase of last season we mainly found the net from an individual brilliance from an attacker and in the second half it was mostly from a set piece,” Slot said. “This season we have not seen as many moments of genius and we haven’t scored from set pieces. But we are nonetheless the team that from general play creates the highest xG chances.”

Recent Additions

They are not beating foes in the fashion the coach envisaged when Florian Wirtz, Hugo Ekitiké and the Swedish striker were brought on board in the offseason, although Liverpool stay the league's third-best scorers. A tie on the weekend would be sufficient for Slot to attain the 100-point total in less games than any coach in Liverpool's history (forty-six). Consider what his offense will do when it clicks. The side are still a squad of supreme individual quality, able to igniting and catching any opponent for the title, but cohesion is missing. This can not be attributed on the recent arrivals alone.

Individual and Team Problems

The player is not the sole key player to suffer a dip, with Alexis Mac Allister returning to fitness and the defender laboring. But he is at the heart of the disruption that has recently affected Liverpool. This extends to a personal level, with his grief over the passing of Jota clear on that emotional first game against the Cherries. The impact of Jota's loss can not be measured nor dismissed.

Strategic Changes

Previously, he