Mohamed Salah has caused a stir after recent Liverpool comments having been dropped by Arne Slot.placeholder image
Mohamed Salah has caused a stir after recent Liverpool comments having been dropped by Arne Slot. | Getty Images
The future of Mohamed Salah might not be the only issue which needs dealing with at Liverpool
Liverpool returned to winning ways in the Champions League as the Reds came out on top at Inter Milan thanks to a late Dominik Szoboszlai penalty.
Salah has now not started in Liverpool’s last four matches and let his frustrations be known publicly following Saturday night’s 3-3 draw at Leeds United, in a move which Jamie Carragher claimed on Sky Sports was intended to “get his manager sacked”.
The Egyptian’s future is a major issue which needs to be resolved fast, but it is not the only problem to be faced at the club as another star continually flatters to deceive.
Alexander Isak’s form continues to be an issue for Liverpool
Alexander Isak started through the centre alongside Hugo Ekitike on Tuesday, with the pair in the starting line-up together for just the second time. But neither striker made a lasting impression on the match, and the performances of Isak continue to be a concern as the £125million record signing struggles to find his feet at his new club, drawing criticism from Italian media on Tuesday night.
Isak has scored just twice in 14 appearances for Liverpool and did not look close to adding to that total at the San Siro, as his one shot in the match went well wide of goal. His wider statistics for the game also make grim reading, as the Swede had just 25 touches, two in the opposition box, lost four out of six ground duels and had a personal xG of 0.01, according to stats by FotMob.
By all accounts Isak’s fitness issues should be behind him now, and his opening goal at West Ham United less than a fortnight ago should have proven some form of watershed. But despite this, subsequent performances have shown little difference. LiverpoolWorld rated Isak a 5/10 for his performance at Inter, to which he can have few complaints.
Isak the game-changing signing is still waiting to be born
If Liverpool are to see a true renaissance this season and make a challenge for trophies on multiple fronts, finding a way to get the best out of Isak is a necessity. The Swede not only broke the bank, he was supposed to turn the needle and be the truly world-class centre-forward Liverpool were previously lacking.
For Hugo Ekitike to largely outshine him this season was not on the script. This should not be accepted from Isak after he scored 44 Premier League goals across his final two seasons with Newcastle United, creating a debate with Erling Haaland for the best striker in the division which has now seemingly been quashed.
With such a price tag and reputation comes a wealth of responsibility to be a game-changer week in, week out, with injuries counting as little excuse to be the passenger which Isak has often been at Anfield.
He doesn’t touch the ball enough to impact proceedings, barely earns himself any chances on goal, and appears to lack any of the explosive sharpness which made him so effective in the North East. The fact he often looks demoralised in matches could point towards an even bigger adaptation issue. As the Salah debate rages on, Slot must figure out how to get the best out of his other star forward, quickly.
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