The Tense Prelude to AFCON
Before Salah departed for international duty, the atmosphere at Anfield was anything but calm. Following a series of benchings—most notably against West Ham and Leeds—the forward gave an explosive interview, suggesting he felt “thrown under the bus” and that his relationship with manager Arne Slot had reached a breaking point.
While the two reportedly patched things up before his departure, the dynamic remains delicate. Slot has found success in Salah’s absence, with the team maintaining an unbeaten streak and players like Hugo Ekitiké stepping up. The primary concern now is whether Salah will accept a role that might see him rotated more frequently than in previous seasons.
Performance vs. “Father Time”
At 33, Salah is still producing numbers. His AFCON campaign saw him net four goals and provide one assist in five matches. However, observers have noted a slight drop-off in his overall effectiveness on the pitch. Before heading to AFCON, his Premier League goal tally sat at just four—a significant dip compared to the heights of previous campaigns.
Despite this, Salah remains an undeniable asset. Liverpool is currently navigating a mini-injury crisis, with Alexander Isak sidelined by a fracture and Connor Bradley also out of action. Salah’s versatility—operating either through the middle or on his traditional right flank—provides Slot with much-needed tactical flexibility.
The Marc Gueye Transfer Dilemma
While the focus is on returning players, Liverpool’s recruitment strategy remains a hot topic. The club is still heavily linked with Crystal Palace defender Marc Gueye. The current plan is to secure the center-half on a free transfer in the summer, but rival interest from Manchester City could force the Reds to act sooner.
Some pundits argue that Liverpool should pull the trigger now. With defensive fragility a persistent concern and the risk of losing out to City’s financial might, securing a player of Gueye’s quality this month could be the “safe” move to ensure Champions League qualification remains on track.
A Season-Defining Balancing Act
Mohamed Salah’s return is a double-edged sword. On one hand, he is a world-class talent capable of game-winning moments. On the other, his desire for regular starts could create friction in a squad that has found its rhythm without him. For Arne Slot, the coming weeks will be a major test of his man-management skills. Keeping Salah happy while maintaining Liverpool’s momentum will be the ultimate balancing act.
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