The microscope is firmly on Mohamed Salah at Anfield, but Arne Slot isn't letting his superstar take all the heat. The Liverpool manager has delivered a candid defense, shifting focus onto a broader attacking slump that has gripped the Reds in the 2025-26 Premier League season.
Key Points
- Mohamed Salah hasn't scored a Premier League goal since November 1st.
- Arne Slot defends Salah, arguing his elite standards make any dip seem drastic.
- Other key attackers, Cody Gakpo and Hugo Ekitike, are also facing goal droughts.
- Liverpool sits 6th in the Premier League, needing a resurgence against West Ham.
The Salah Scrutiny: A Superstar's Rare Slump
It feels almost alien to discuss Mohamed Salah enduring a lean spell. Last season, the 'Egyptian King' was unstoppable, bagging 34 goals across all competitions, leading Liverpool to Premier League glory, and claiming both the PFA Player of the Year and Golden Boot honors. His commitment to Anfield was solidified with a contract extension through to 2027.
However, the 2025-26 season has proven a turbulent one for everyone connected with Liverpool. Despite a record-shattering spending spree, consistency has been elusive, leading to uncomfortable questions for players and staff alike. Salah himself faced intense scrutiny, culminating in an emotional outburst in December, and he hasn't found the back of the net in a Premier League fixture since November 1st.
Slot's Unflinching Defense: It's a Team Issue
Arne Slot has been quick to shield his star forward. He passionately argued that Salah's own impossibly high standards are the very reason his current form is even a talking point. "He set his own standards and they are so, so, so high the moment he doesn't score for a few games, people are surprised, so that is the big compliment," Slot explained.
He further reminded critics to look beyond raw Premier League stats, highlighting Salah's recent assist and goal against a "very good Brighton side" in the FA Cup just three games prior. Slot emphasized that data can be selectively used to paint an unfair picture. Crucially, the Dutch manager then broadened the scope, refusing to let the spotlight remain solely on Salah.
More Than Just the 'Egyptian King'
Slot pointed out that the goal drought isn't confined to Salah. "It is not that the focus should be all on him, Hugo and Cody haven't either, so it is a team thing," he stated. Indeed, Cody Gakpo has gone seven games without a goal, while Hugo Ekitike has failed to trouble the scorers in his last four appearances.
While the attacking fluency has dipped, Slot noted the team's defensive improvements, suggesting that clean sheets somewhat compensate for a temporary dip in individual scoring output. He also referenced recent goal deluges, like scoring six against Qarabag and four against Newcastle, proving the scoring touch isn't entirely lost for the Reds.
Ekitike's Potential: A Diamond in the Rough
Despite his recent drought, Hugo Ekitike remains a player of immense promise. The 23-year-old French international, a substantial £82 million signing in the summer of 2025, had an impressive debut campaign at Anfield, netting 15 goals. Liverpool management remains confident that he will play his way back into prolific form.
Slot was candid about areas for Ekitike's development, specifically his aerial ability despite standing at six feet, three inches tall. "We are noticing this, as Hugo is, so we try to work on it," Slot commented. This focus on refinement underscores Liverpool's long-term commitment to nurturing their young talent.
The Road Ahead: Can Liverpool Rediscover Their Spark?
Liverpool currently occupies 6th place in the Premier League table and has drawn Galatasaray in the Champions League Last 16. The stakes are high as they approach the business end of the season. A return to consistent goal-scoring across the front line is paramount for their ambitions.
Their next opportunity to reignite their attacking prowess comes this Saturday as they host West Ham at Anfield. All eyes will be on whether Salah, Gakpo, and Ekitike can collectively rediscover the clinical edge that has defined Liverpool's success in recent years.
