Liverpool may be set for awkward Mohamed Salah farewell as Arne Slot faces unthinkable choice
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In fact, the 4-0 mauling at the hands of Manchester City will rank among Salah’s most galling experiences for the club he has served so admirably for nearly a decade.READ MORE: Arne Slot highlights unwanted Liverpool problem as he makes curious Man City commentREAD MORE: Liverpool icon claims Arne Slot's players are 'devoid of confidence' following Man City hammeringIf the result alone, against your greatest rival, wasn’t disheartening enough, suffering the indignity of a missed penalty and the sight of a shot whizzing out for a throw-in ensured this was a miserable start to Salah’s great finale.Admittedly, the latter effort did take a slight deflection off Abdukodir Khusanov, but Salah’s labored reaction, heavy touch and then miscued shot, all within a few seconds, embodied the 33-year-old’s woeful campaign. Replacing Salah’s goal contributions is up there, too.Saturday's game against Man City was another dismal afternoon for SalahHe provided a remarkable 47 in the Premier League last term, the highest ever from an individual in a 38-game campaign, and the overdependence on Salah’s goals and assists was mentioned in passing last season.Ultimately, what did it matter when the insatiable winger simply did not stop scoring?
He has also netted 10 in all competitions, a terrible regression from his previous worst tally of 23 in a Liverpool season.Salah’s successful dribbles for the campaign come in at a miserable 22.6 percent, while against City he won just half of his 10 aerial duels. This, for a man who routinely shrugged off defenders, was unthinkable a few years ago.It’s difficult to conclude Salah’s place in the starting line-up is based on anything more than legacy at this stage, unless Slot is merely looking to usher him out the door with minimal fuss.Slot and Salah's futures could be inextricably tiedThe question remains whether the Liverpool head coach will also have to pack his bags in the summer.
Unthinkable as it may feel, dropping the Egyptian may be Slot’s best course of action, even if he can rely upon few squad alternatives.Salah’s presence certainly makes Liverpool’s ability to assemble an effective attacking unit even more complicated. In time, it could be Slot and the team’s downfall.For now, the attention remains on the cup competitions, as Salah looks to Paris, aiming to ensure his Liverpool swansong delivers a trophy rather than a meek farewell at home to Brentford on the final day of the league season.As a Liverpool icon, Salah will want to bow out in style.