Liverpool's 5-1 rout of Eintracht Frankfurt in the Champions League came as a major boost for Arne Slot's side after four successive defeats, but one man didn't seem in the mood to celebrate after the final whistle. Mohamed Salah clapped the away fans at Deutsche Bank Park, but then headed straight for the tunnel instead of revelling in the final result with his euphoric team-mates.
Although it wasn't quite the strop some outlets have suggested, Salah's body language certainly told the story of a man who is enduring the worst period of his entire Liverpool career. Slot made the bold call to drop last season's PFA Player of the Year to the bench as he shifted from his typical 4-2-3-1 formation to a 4-4-2, with £116 million ($155m) summer signing Florian Wirtz covering Salah's spot on the right flank, and it paid off handsomely.
The Reds produced by far their most complete display of the season to demolish Eintracht, with Salah reduced to a 16-minute cameo in which he offered little to nothing. The 33-year-old managed 12 touches, lost possession four times and missed two big chances, including a poor 89th-minute finish as he selfishly opted to shoot from a tight angle instead of squaring to Wirtz for what would have been a certain sixth goal for Liverpool.
Of course, Salah has an endless amount of credit in the bank with the Anfield faithful. His status as a club legend and one of the greatest players in Premier League history can never be taken away. However, as we edge towards the midway point of his ninth season at Liverpool, Salah is now showing clear signs of decline.
The Reds can't afford to carry any passengers if they want to lift more silverware come May, and right now, that's exactly what Salah is. For Liverpool to build on Wednesday's victory, Slot must continue to keep the 'Egyptian King' out of his starting XI.