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Liverpool’s Slump Deepens as Salah’s Struggles Mirror Arne Slot’s Mounting Problems

Liverpool’s aura of invincibility at Anfield has cracked. The image of a despondent Mohamed Salah trudging off the pitch while Manchester United celebrated Harry Maguire’s late winner spoke volumes about the Reds’ current malaise.

For years, Salah has been the symbol of Liverpool’s relentlessness — the man capable of turning the tide with a single touch. Yet, on Sunday, he was withdrawn with his team chasing a goal, replaced by Jeremie Frimpong moments after United secured their first win at Anfield in over a decade.

The 2-1 defeat marked Liverpool’s fourth consecutive loss in all competitions, their worst run since 2014 under Brendan Rodgers. What was once dismissed as a temporary blip has now become a worrying trend under head coach Arne Slot, whose debut season brought a Premier League title but is now being followed by a crisis of confidence.

“If you lose four times in a row, you must be concerned,” Slot admitted after the game. “We’re creating chances, but losing this often affects the team’s mentality.”

Another defeat on Wednesday — away to Eintracht Frankfurt in the Champions League — would see Liverpool record five straight losses for the first time since 1953.

The numbers are sobering. Liverpool have conceded five goals from set pieces in eight league games , after conceding none in the same stretch last season. They have also failed to keep a clean sheet in their last six matches across all competitions.

Cody Gakpo struck the post three times before finally equalising in the 78th minute, while Salah’s seven-game run without a non-penalty goal has become a talking point. The Egyptian, once the embodiment of Liverpool’s cutting edge, now looks short of sharpness and confidence.

Big-money arrivals Florian Wirtz (£116m) and Alexander Isak (£125m) have yet to justify their fees, while the £450m invested this summer has not produced the transformation expected. Wirtz continues to start from the bench, and Isak has struggled to make an impact, overshadowed by the energy of Hugo Ekitike.

Former defender Stephen Warnock summarised the situation succinctly: “Liverpool lack balance. Szoboszlai looks better at right-back drifting into midfield, Frimpong made a bigger impact in 10 minutes than Salah did all game, and Ekitike offered more energy than Isak.”

Defensive frailties remain glaring. Milos Kerkez’s nervous display — nearly scoring an own goal — and Virgil van Dijk’s sluggish reactions underline a lack of cohesion. Even leadership appears strained, as seen when Alexis Mac Allister’s head injury went unnoticed before Brentford’s Bryan Mbeumo punished Liverpool’s slow response.

Slot’s Liverpool currently sit fourth, four points behind leaders Arsenal. With the club’s Champions League hopes hanging in the balance, the pressure is mounting for the Dutchman to rediscover the ruthless identity that once defined his side.

Captain Virgil van Dijk urged calm after the match: “We need to stay united. The season is long, and we have to keep our mentality strong.”

Liverpool have overcome adversity before, but the challenge now is psychological as much as tactical. A reaction is no longer optional — it’s essential.

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