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It has been some time, but Liverpool's forward returned taking on the lead part in recent days with a double in Casablanca that secured the Egyptian team's spot at the global tournament. The main man taking the limelight another time. The Reds need him to remain there.

Factors for Inconsistent Displays

We see many causes why variable, unimpressive showings have been the common thread characterizing the team's opening to their championship defense, if they achieved seven straight victories or, before Manchester United's trip to Liverpool's home ground on the weekend, three consecutive defeats. The turmoil from so many summer changes, Arne Slot's quest for his ideal lineup, the late forward's loss; Salah has felt the consequences of them all during his atypically low-key beginning to the term.

Sunday's Showpiece Occasion

Sunday's showpiece occasion could deliver the impetus for the cause of a impressive 16 strikes in 17 games for the club against Manchester United, who are making their 100th appearance to Anfield and have not won at their archrivals for almost a decade. The attacker will present the manager with a further unforeseen dilemma, though, should he stay caught in the turmoil indefinitely.

Current Performance

The team's head coach must have recognized the contrast of Salah's opening strike against Djibouti recently. Struck first time with the outside of his stronger foot into the close post, Salah's eighth goal of the national team's qualification run originated from an very similar spot to his big mistake in the Chelsea match before the break for internationals.

If that shot with his right been finished moments after the restart at Chelsea's ground we would still be praising Florian Wirtz's maiden sublime assist in the league. Inquests into his decline and Liverpool's infrequent losing run might also have been postponed. Instead, Wirtz's wait goes on while Slot broods over a third consecutive loss on the road, a couple due to late goals and another the outcome of a controversial spot-kick. Narrow differences, as he repeated on Friday, but they do not camouflage bigger issues.

Last Season's Contribution

The forward was crucial in driving the side towards a record-equalling 20th league title the prior campaign while speculation over his long-term plans rumbled in the backdrop. “We brought almost the utmost out of Mo that campaign,” said Slot when his main attacker signed a new two‑year contract in the spring. We have seen a clear drop-off on an individual and team level from then. The lineup, not the details of a deal, are to blame.

Statistical Decline

His contribution in terms of scores and assists is reduced 50% on the corresponding point the previous term, from a total eight in the first seven league games of last season to four (two goals and a couple of assists) the current campaign. The count of attempts has dropped from twenty-two to 12 while efforts on goal have dropped from fifteen to 5, leading to a significant drop in shot accuracy (not counting blocks) from 78.9% to 55.6 percent, data show.

A particular skill that has held more steady is Salah's chance creation. With twelve opportunities made, against 14 at the equivalent point of the previous season, his stats are among the best in the continent and comparable in the group of Lamine Yamal and rising stars, his juniors by fifteen and thirteen years respectively.

Team Display

Metrics of collective performance will concern the coach more. He had seventy-six touches in the opposition penalty area in the initial seven fixtures of last season. The current campaign's tally is 39. The stats are symptomatic of the team's difficulties in general. Only United and Arsenal have attempted more shots on goal than them in the current term, but Liverpool's rate of attempts from within the goal area is the smallest in the division, their share from long range among the greatest. The club's percentage of shots on target – 28.4% – is also among the lowest in the league.

“In the first half of last season we primarily found the net from a special moment from one of our front three and in the later stage it was more from a dead ball,” the manager said. “This season we haven’t had as many acts of brilliance and we haven’t scored from dead balls. But we are nonetheless the team that from open play generates the highest expected goals opportunities.”

Summer Arrivals

They aren't beating rivals in the manner the coach planned when Wirtz, the French forward and Alexander Isak were brought on board this summer, while Liverpool remain the league's equal third-top scorers. A tie on Sunday would be enough for Slot to achieve the century of points in fewer games than any boss in Liverpool's past (forty-six). Think what his offense will do when it finally gels. The side remain a team of exceptional skill, capable of igniting and chasing any rival for the championship, but unity is absent. That cannot be pinned on the summer recruits by themselves.

Individual and Collective Problems

Salah is not the only key member to suffer a dip, with Alexis Mac Allister working his way back to fitness and Ibrahima Konaté toiling. But he finds himself at the heart of the upheaval that has recently enveloped Liverpool. This extends to a personal level, with his grief over the loss of Diogo Jota obvious on that emotional season opener against Bournemouth. The influence of his loss can neither be quantified nor overlooked.

Tactical Adjustments

Previously, he