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It's been a period, but Mohamed Salah returned assuming the main part in recent days with a brace in Morocco that sealed the Egyptian team's position at the global tournament. The star stepping on the limelight once more. Liverpool must have him to keep that position.

Factors for Inconsistent Displays

There exist numerous reasons why variable, unconvincing performances have been the common thread characterizing the team's beginning to their title defence, whether they achieved seven straight victories or, before Manchester United's trip to Liverpool's home ground on Sunday, three consecutive defeats. The turmoil from numerous summer changes, the coach's quest for his top team, the late forward's passing; the winger has experienced the effect of them all during his uncharacteristically subdued beginning to the term.

Sunday's Showpiece Occasion

Sunday's key fixture could provide the spark for the cause of a record 16 goals in 17 appearances for Liverpool against United, who are paying their 100th appearance to the stadium and have not triumphed at their fierce rivals for almost a decade. Salah will pose the manager with an additional surprise issue, however, if he stay caught in the turmoil for an extended period.

Recent Performance

The team's boss likely seen the contrast of Salah's initial score against Djibouti last Wednesday. Drilled immediately with the exterior of his stronger foot into the front post, his eighth goal of Egypt's qualification run was from an almost identical location to his big mistake against Chelsea prior to the national team pause.

Had that right-foot effort been finished shortly after the resumption at Stamford Bridge we would still be praising Florian Wirtz's maiden sublime assist in the Premier League. Analyses into his dip and Liverpool's infrequent losing streak might also have been delayed. Rather, Wirtz's wait persists while Slot fumes over a third consecutive loss on the road, two inflicted by late goals and another the result of a controversial spot-kick. Small margins, as he reiterated on recently, but they cannot hide bigger issues.

Last Season's Contribution

Salah was crucial in pushing the side towards a tying 20th championship the previous term while speculation over his career rumbled in the backdrop. “We brought nearly the maximum out of Mo that campaign,” said Slot when his main attacker signed an extension in April. There has been a noticeable decline on an personal and team level since. The squad, not the details of a contract, are responsible.

Statistical Drop

His production in terms of goals and setups is lower half on the same point the prior campaign, from a total eight in the opening seven fixtures of last season to four (a pair of goals and two assists) this season. His tally of shots has fallen from 22 to twelve while efforts on goal have fallen from 15 to 5, causing a steep decline in conversion rate (not counting blocks) from 78.9% to 55.6 percent, data show.

A single trait that has held more steady is Salah's creativity. With 12 chances created, compared with 14 at the comparable period of last term, his numbers remain among the best in the continent and comparable in the group of young talents and Arda Güler, his younger counterparts by 15 and 13 years each.

Collective Output

Metrics of collective output will concern the coach more. Salah had seventy-six contacts in the enemy penalty area in the opening seven fixtures of the prior campaign. This season's tally is thirty-nine. The numbers are indicative of the squad's issues in general. Only United and Arsenal have attempted more shots on goal than Liverpool this season, but the team's rate of shots from within the six-yard box is the smallest in the Premier League, their percentage from long range among the top. The club's rate of efforts on goal – 28.4% – is also among the weakest in the league.

During the initial phase of the previous campaign we mostly found the net from a moment of magic from an attacker and in the later stage it was mostly from a dead ball,” Slot said. “This season we have not seen as many moments of genius and we haven’t scored from set pieces. But we are nonetheless the team that from open play generates the most expected goals opportunities.”

New Signings

They aren't beating opponents in the manner Slot planned when Florian Wirtz, Hugo Ekitiké and the Swedish striker were signed this summer, although the team remain the division's equal third-top scorers. A draw on Sunday would be sufficient for him to attain the 100-point mark in less games than any coach in the club's history (46). Consider what his attack will do when it clicks. Liverpool are still a team of exceptional individual quality, capable of sparking and reeling in any foe for the title, but synergy is missing. That can not be blamed on the recent arrivals alone.

Personal and Team Challenges

The player is not the only senior player to suffer a decline, with the midfielder regaining to fitness and Ibrahima Konaté toiling. But he finds himself at the heart of the disruption that has of late engulfed the club. This goes to a individual level, with his sadness over the loss of Diogo Jota clear on that emotional opening night against the Cherries. The impact of his tragedy can not be measured nor ignored.

Tactical Adjustments

Previously, he