Liverpool may have reversed their fortunes but the woes of Mohamed Salah persist. The Reds secured a commanding 5-2 win against West Ham United on Saturday to register their third consecutive Premier League victory - the first time they've managed such a run since December. It also marked the first instance they've netted five goals in a league fixture since securing the title last April with a 5-1 demolition of Tottenham at Anfield.
Whilst it wasn't a flawless display from Arne Slot's charges, it represented three crucial points that bolster their pursuit of Champions League qualification. Players such as Hugo Ekitike and Cody Gakpo rediscovered their scoring touch, yet the prolonged barren spell in front of goal for Liverpool's Egyptian King remains unbroken. It proved another disappointing outing for Salah, who has thus far netted 25 goals fewer than he managed throughout last season's entire league campaign. Express Sport brings you the latest news out of Anfield...
Ekitike not happy
Ekitike is clearly not becoming complacent. Being the first Liverpool player since Luis Suarez to register 11 Premier League goals in their debut full season at the club hasn't satisfied the elegant Frenchman.
The 23-year-old netted once and assisted two more goals in Saturday's triumph, yet taking his tally to 16 goals and six assists across all competitions still falls short of his own expectations.
Speaking to LFCTV, Ekitike admitted: "To be honest, I could score more. I'm not that happy. But it's not even goals, it's assists as well. Today I think I gave one or two assists, I don't remember.
"As long as I can help the team and be involved, that's the most important. I want to win, so personally I'm happy, but I'm looking forward to the upcoming games."
Amid Liverpool's difficult campaign, a stark decline in Salah's performances has undermined the club's ability to replicate the winning formula they found last season. With a mere four goals and six assists to his name in the Premier League, the 33-year-old appears a pale imitation of the player he once was.
Further to a lacklustre display in the Reds' 5-2 win over West Ham, Salah's failure to find the net stretched to 10 consecutive league matches without a goal for the Egyptian, marking the lengthiest such barren run the winger has endured at the club.
His disappointing performances have prompted many to question whether his stint at the highest level may be drawing to a close, with former Liverpool winger Mark Kennedy going so far as to harshly label the 33-year-old "yesterday's man."
Speaking on talkSPORT ahead of Liverpool's triumph, the Irishman said: "I am going to be controversial here.
"When I look at Salah's stats last year, they're absolutely phenomenal. But every time I watch Liverpool, I never liked Salah. I think his ball retention is really, really poor. He gives up a lot of possession, and I've been really vocal when I speak to people about Salah this year.
"I am a Liverpool fan, I am a big fan of Salah, I think he's amazing, but I think he's yesterday's man. I am not surprised by his performances this year because I've actually been saying it for a long time."