At times, Mohamed Salah has almost been treated like the problem at Liverpool this season, but the Reds’ results with and without him suggest otherwise.
Salah should make his final appearance for Liverpool at home to Brentford next weekend, on what will be an emotional occasion.
The Egyptian’s relationship with Arne Slot has soured this season, having claimed he doesn’t “have any relationship” with him earlier in the campaign.
Some felt that Salah was thrown under the bus by the Dutchman, and while has clearly underperformed by previous standards, Liverpool are still better with him in the team.
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Saturday, April 25, 2026: Liverpool's Mohamed Salah applauds the crowd as he is substituted off injured during the FA Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Crystal Palace FC at Anfield. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
As football data editor Michael Reid points out on X, the Reds haven’t won any of their nine Premier League games that Salah hasn’t started in 2026 to date, with six points out of a possible 27 coming their way.
They have won just one out of 12 matches, in all competitions, which came against Barnsley in the FA Cup third round.
On the flip side, Liverpool have won 12 of the 17 games that Salah has started in that time, going to show that there are far bigger issues than him.
Mo Salah’s concerns about standards dropping at Liverpool
Salah is not only a world-class footballer, but also a remarkably dedicated professional, and he recently hinted at being concerned about standards dropping when he leaves.
“I’m happy about it that new guys came and see Mo’s come into the building first and gone to the gym, so it automatically changed,” Salah said.
“This is something I’m very proud of, and something, if I’m being very honest because I love this place so much, I have my best years here, I want the guys to continue like that.
“I want to succeed, I want the club to be there, and this is one of the main concerns.
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Saturday, April 25, 2026: Liverpool's Mohamed Salah during the FA Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Crystal Palace FC at Anfield. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
“I spoke to a member of staff and the guys up there, I told them when I leave you need an example, you need people to come early and go to the gym.
“If this doesn’t happen, it will be tricky for the club, because it’s very necessary you put the standard high.
“People have to come early, people have to go to the gym and look after themselves, and I don’t want that to change after I leave.
“I want that standard in the club, it’s very important for the team to keep winning things, and this is one of the main concerns for me.”
Mo Salah the least of Liverpool’s problems
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Sunday, April 19, 2026: Liverpool's Mohamed Salah touches the badge as he celebrates after scoring the first goal during the FA Premier League match between Everton FC and Liverpool FC, the 248th Merseyside Derby, at Bramley-Moore Dock. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
As mentioned, it is undeniable that Salah is past his peak, and too many of his performances this season have lacked quality.
But the above numbers prove that Liverpool remain a more dangerous team when he is involved, so Slot’s decision to drop him earlier in the campaign was a poor one that needlessly created an issue.
To have not won a single league game without him this year is damning on the Reds’ other attacking options, with big-money signings Florian Wirtz and Alexander Isak not yet settling.
Salah deserves a send-off for the ages next Sunday, and a winning goal against Brentford would be a fitting way for one of the greatest-ever Liverpool careers to end.