Mo Salah is starting to be affected by the burden of age. |
Liverpool entered the new season with the mindset of a giant. Not only because they were the English champions, but also because of their extravagant spending in the transfer market. Florian Wirtz arrived for a record fee, Hugo Ekitz also joined, and then Alexander Isak, a £125 million signing, added another layer of exclamation points.
In the eyes of their rivals, Liverpool seem to be mocking the rest of the league. They already had an attack that scored 86 goals last season, so why buy another center forward?
The shadow of Messi and Ronaldo at the end of their prime.
The answer became clear at Turf Moor. Against Burnley, the Reds were incredibly ineffective. Ekitike played as a central striker but was only dangerous when cutting inside from the wing. Wirtz was lackluster, and Cody Gakpo was only suited to a winger role. The entire system lacked a cohesive striker, and everyone was relying on Mohamed Salah. But at 33, Salah was no longer himself.
The match against Burnley was a clear example. He didn't win a single challenge, didn't complete a single successful dribble, created only one chance, and didn't manage a single shot throughout the 90 minutes. Only when he took the penalty in injury time did Salah score, saving Liverpool from a disappointing draw.
Those numbers not only expose a lackluster performance, but also raise a big question: how much longer can Salah remain hidden behind the glory of the past?
What makes the story so compelling is Salah's unique position at Anfield. He's like Lionel Messi at Barcelona in his later years, or Cristiano Ronaldo at Manchester United during the 2021-2022 season: always the first choice regardless of form.
Coach Arne Slot admitted he considered every substitution option, including taking Salah off, but ultimately kept him on: "If you need a goal, you keep Mo." That's a natural reaction for any coach who has an iconic star at their disposal.
Mohamed Salah is 33 years old. |
But history also shows that when loyalty turns into stubbornness, a team often pays the price. Barcelona suffered because of their dependence on Messi in the final stages, and Manchester United collapsed while revolving around Ronaldo when he was no longer fit enough to carry the entire system. Liverpool could avoid that path if Slot dares to make the difficult decision – prioritizing form and balance over reputation.
Isak - a luxurious but necessary piece of the puzzle.
In that context, Isak's arrival became the solution. He is a complete center forward, capable of holding up the ball and creating space for his teammates. Something Ekitike couldn't provide, Wirtz wasn't a good fit for, and Gakpo struggled to deliver, Isak could provide immediately. Once Isak is in top form, Liverpool will have a clear central axis, allowing Slot to rotate his attacking options more flexibly.
The crucial point is that Isak didn't come just to "back up" Salah. He came to fill a real void in the system: a central striker. What was once a luxury became a necessity. And it is from this point that Salah faced an unprecedented situation – he was no longer untouchable.
Arne Slot has a squad so perfect it's almost overflowing. It's a gift, but also a difficult problem. He could stick with the "Salah formula"—trusting in experience and the ability to decide moments. But he could also move in a different direction, boldly adjusting, or even removing Salah from a central role.
Isak's arrival could jeopardize Salah's position. |
Liverpool have broken their transfer record twice to strengthen their attack. If Salah continues to underperform, his relegation to the bench will no longer be a distant prospect. Conversely, if the Egyptian star adapts, drops deeper, or shifts his role, the team will have more options, maintaining Salah's legacy while opening up space for a new generation.
The new season has only just begun, but what happened at Turf Moor is already a warning. A truly strong team isn't one where reputation is prioritized, but where form is valued. Slot understands that. He has Isak – the key to Liverpool's near-perfection. But because of that, he's forced to make some incredible decisions.
If they do it right, Liverpool will not only dominate this season but could also join the ranks of the greatest teams in history. And in that journey, the Salah-Isak story could become the most important chapter.
Source: https://znews.vn/salah-tro-thanh-van-de-cua-liverpool-post1585323.html
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