In the Latest News, Liverpool star Mohamed Salah is once again under the spotlight — not for his goal-scoring brilliance, but for his lack of defensive contribution. Football experts believe Salah’s limited defensive work has become a “little problem” for Liverpool, especially when facing stronger opponents.
While Breaking News from Anfield suggests manager Arne Slot may have allowed Salah to stay forward to capitalize on counter-attacks, the setup behind him seems to be struggling. This issue has raised big questions about Liverpool’s defensive balance and team coordination.
1. Salah’s Positioning Creates Defensive Gaps
Salah’s attacking freedom often leaves the right-back exposed.
- Whether it’s Jeremie Frimpong, Conor Bradley, or Dominik Szoboszlai, players covering the right flank face two-versus-one situations.
- This was clearly visible during the recent loss to Chelsea, where the defensive imbalance led to their winning goal.
- Experts believe rival teams will continue to exploit this weakness unless Liverpool adjusts their formation.
Slot’s decision might be tactical — allowing Salah to stay high upfield helps create dangerous counter-attacks. However, without better coordination behind him, this approach is starting to cost Liverpool valuable points.
2. Why Salah’s Defensive Role is Different
According to analysts, Salah’s limited tracking back might be part of a deliberate plan.
- Slot may have instructed Salah to conserve energy for offensive runs rather than defensive duties.
- Similar systems exist in teams where one forward is given attacking freedom, while others compensate defensively.
- But this requires precise coordination — something Liverpool’s current lineup seems to lack.
Salah has shown before that he can defend when asked. For example, in last season’s win against Manchester City, his defensive contribution was among his best performances. This proves he can do it, but it depends on tactical instructions from the coach.
3. The Real Issue Lies Behind Salah
The main challenge for Liverpool is not Salah’s positioning itself but the setup behind him.
- Midfielders like Ryan Gravenberch and Alexis Mac Allister are often caught out of position when they try to cover Salah’s area.
- This leaves open spaces in midfield, giving opponents an easy route to attack.
- Against teams like Chelsea, this problem becomes worse as they shift play toward Liverpool’s weaker side.
While this setup works fine against smaller teams where Liverpool dominates possession, it becomes risky against elite opponents. The Reds must adjust quickly to regain their balance in crucial matches.
4. Loss of Control and Recent Form
Liverpool’s recent performances show that the team has lost a bit of control compared to last season.
- They have suffered three consecutive defeats across the Premier League and Champions League, raising serious concerns.
- The once-strong defensive shape seems shaky, and their ball possession strategy looks chaotic.
- In the last 30 minutes against Chelsea, the game turned frantic, resembling a cup match rather than a league fixture.
Slot’s earlier promise of calm, possession-based football has faded. However, this may simply be part of a rebuilding phase following major summer changes and missing pre-season training for several key players.
5. Hope for Recovery and the Road Ahead
Despite their struggles, Liverpool remains only one point behind leaders Arsenal, according to Daily news highlights.
- As players regain fitness and adjust to new partnerships, stability is expected to return.
- Building strong relationships — like between Salah and his right-back — will be key to improving balance.
- Experts predict that Liverpool will bounce back as the season progresses, just as they have in past years.
The competitive nature of this Premier League season means that even top teams like Arsenal and Manchester City will face similar struggles at some point. For Liverpool, this is not a crisis — it’s a temporary adjustment phase in their tactical evolution.
In conclusion, Liverpool’s Salah dilemma is more about team structure than individual performance. As the season continues, Arne Slot’s challenge will be to find the right balance between Salah’s attacking brilliance and defensive responsibility.
