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It's been some time, but Mohamed Salah returned taking on the starring role last week with a double in Casablanca that sealed the Egyptian team's place at the global tournament. The main man stepping on the spotlight yet again. The Merseyside club require him to keep that position.

Causes for Variable Displays

There exist several factors why inconsistent, unimpressive displays have been the frequent pattern defining Liverpool's start to their title defence, whether they produced a winning streak or, prior to Manchester United's trip to Liverpool's home ground on the weekend, a losing run. The disruption from so many new signings, the coach's hunt for his top team, the late forward's tragic death; the winger has experienced the effect of them all during his uncharacteristically subdued beginning to the term.

The Weekend's Key Fixture

Sunday's key fixture could offer the catalyst for the cause of a record 16 goals in 17 outings for Liverpool against United, who are paying their 100th visit to the stadium and have not won at their archrivals for more than nine years. Salah will present the manager with an additional unexpected problem, yet, if he stay caught in the turmoil much longer.

Current Display

The team's manager must have recognized the contrast of the player's first goal against Djibouti last Wednesday. Drilled first time with the exterior of his stronger foot into the close post, Salah's eighth strike of the national team's qualifying effort originated from an almost identical location to his big mistake versus Chelsea prior to the international break.

Had that shot with his right been converted moments after the restart at Chelsea's ground we would still be praising the new signing's first excellent setup in the league. Inquests into Salah's drop and the team's unusual defeat streak might also have been delayed. Rather, Wirtz's wait continues while Slot stews over a third consecutive away defeat, two caused by late goals and another the outcome of a disputed penalty. Small margins, as he emphasized on recently, but they do not camouflage underlying concerns.

Previous Campaign's Impact

Salah was key in pushing the side towards a record-equalling 20th championship last season while speculation over his future rumbled in the backdrop. We achieved nearly the maximum out of Salah last term,” said Slot when his leading striker signed a fresh deal in April. We have seen a clear drop-off on an individual and team level since. The team, not the terms of a contract, are responsible.

Performance Drop

His production in terms of scores and setups is reduced 50% on the corresponding stage the previous term, from a total 8 in the opening seven matches of last season to 4 (a pair of goals and two assists) this term. His number of shots has decreased from 22 to twelve while shots on target have declined from fifteen to 5, causing a significant decline in conversion rate (not counting blocks) from 78.9 percent to 55.6 percent, data show.

A single trait that has remained consistent is Salah's chance creation. With twelve key passes, versus 14 at the comparable period of last term, his figures stay among the top in the continent and up in the company of young talents and Arda Güler, his juniors by fifteen and 13 years respectively.

Collective Display

Indicators of collective output will worry Slot further. Salah had 76 touches in the opposition penalty area in the opening seven matches of last season. The current campaign's tally is 39. The stats are indicative of the team's problems in general. Only Manchester United and the Gunners have tried a greater number of shots on goal than Liverpool this season, but the team's rate of shots from within the six-yard area is the poorest in the top flight, their ratio from distance among the greatest. Liverpool's percentage of shots on target – 28.4% – is as well among the weakest in the competition.

“In the first half of the previous campaign we primarily found the net from an individual brilliance from one of our front three and in the later stage it was mostly from a dead ball,” Slot said. “Currently we have not seen as numerous moments of genius and we haven’t scored from dead balls. But we are still the side that from general play creates the most expected goals opportunities.”

Summer Arrivals

They are not punishing opponents in the manner the coach planned when Florian Wirtz, the French forward and Alexander Isak were acquired this summer, although Liverpool stay the division's equal third-top scorers. A tie on the weekend would be sufficient for him to achieve the 100-point mark in less games than any coach in the club's past (46). Consider what his attack will do when it does settle. Liverpool remain a team of exceptional talent, equipped to starting and chasing any rival for the championship, but cohesion is lacking. That cannot be blamed on the recent arrivals alone.

Individual and Team Challenges

Salah is not the only established player to experience a decline, with the midfielder regaining to form and Ibrahima Konaté toiling. But he finds himself at the heart of the turmoil that has of late engulfed the club. That applies to a personal level, with Salah's grief over the passing of Diogo Jota obvious on that heartfelt first game against the Cherries. The influence of his tragedy can not be measured nor dismissed.

Tactical Adjustments

Previously, he