Liverpool has been cautioned that Mohamed Salah's diminished defensive responsibilities may be playing a role in their underwhelming season. The Merseyside outfit currently find themselves eighth in the Premier League table and have already exited the Carabao Cup.
The Egyptian striker has managed just five goals for Liverpool this term, with four of those coming in the league. Last campaign, Salah found the net 34 times across all competitions as the Reds secured their 20th league title.
Arne Slot's side have already accumulated five Premier League losses this season - exceeding their entire total from last term's championship-winning campaign. Liverpool sits eight points adrift of league-leading Arsenal following their defeat to Manchester City before the international interval.
Former Liverpool midfielder Danny Murphy referenced comments Salah made last season that could shed light on one element behind the team's present difficulties.
"There's a reason Mo Salah last season, when asked about the difference of playing under Slot he said, 'He tells me to defend less,' with a big smile on his face," Murphy stated during a talkSPORT appearance.
"Which is fine when you're scoring and winning games, but at the moment it's costing Liverpool."
Mohamed Salah of Liverpool
Mohamed Salah of Liverpool (Image: Simon Stacpoole/Offside/Offside via Getty Images)
Murphy's analysis connected to observations Salah shared towards the end of last season, emphasising the difference between playing under Slot compared to Jurgen Klopp.
"You can see the numbers," Salah told Sky Sports back in April after Liverpool had been confirmed as Premier League champions.
"Now I don't have to defend much. The tactics are quite different. I said, 'As long as you rest me defensively I will provide offensively', so I am glad that I did. He [Slot] listened a lot and you can see the numbers.
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"When you play in the Premier League you have to defend but I said that I can gamble and somehow I can make a difference. My number of assists shows that, you can create chances as well."
The Reds require their Egyptian talisman to rediscover his best form after suffering a 3-0 drubbing at the hands of title contenders Manchester City prior to the international break. Liverpool resume their campaign with a home fixture against Nottingham Forest on 22 November.