For the first time in nine years, Liverpool are preparing to navigate a brand-new Premier League season without Mohamed Salah following the Egyptian icon’s departure a year earlier than scheduled. The monumental shift comes amidst the club’s worst run of form in 71 years, having suffered three consecutive defeats by three or more goals—a grim sequence not seen since December 1953, punctuated by a heavy loss to PSV. Despite the mounting pressure on head coach Arne Slot following a turbulent spell of six defeats in seven matches, the Dutch manager remains firm in his stance, insisting that he and his squad will fight on through the adversity.
The warning signs, however, were visible long before the recent slump. Tactical adjustments made by Slot felt misaligned from the opening day of the season, casting a shadow over early victories before the eventual unraveling. Former club defender Jamie Carragher noted that while Slot’s position is not yet untenable, the current plight offers a foreboding glimpse into a future without stalwarts Salah, Virgil van Dijk, and Alisson. Both Van Dijk and Salah signed two-year contract extensions in 2025 but showed clear signs of slowing down despite helping secure the Premier League title last term. With Salah previously raising eyebrows over contentious comments regarding his playing time amidst potential interest from Saudi Arabia, Slot now faces intense scrutiny to prove he has earned a long-term contract extension of his own.
Adding to the manager’s tactical headache is a severe lack of availability and production across the frontline. Marquee £125m summer signing Alexander Isak has struggled to make a consistent impact following his arrival from Newcastle, scoring just twice in the Premier League before suffering a costly injury against Tottenham. The setback has triggered internal debates over whether the club must re-enter the transfer market in January for a replacement striker. The crisis extends to the academy ranks as well; Liverpool U21 manager Rob Page confirmed a fresh blow after a promising young forward—who had already made 10 senior appearances and scored three goals in major cup competitions—suffered a major injury setback that will keep him out for a couple of months. Compounding matters further, key senior figures are feeling the immense physical strain, with one international star admitting to being exhausted following a crucial World Cup qualifying rescue act.
Former full-back Stephen Warnock pointed out that things are simply not clicking, urging against knee-jerk reactions while acknowledging that structural issues existed even during the team’s initial stellar run and successful European spell of three wins from four matches. In response to the looming post-Salah era, Liverpool’s recruitment network has already begun actively assessing talent across Europe and South America. Recruitment staff have closely monitored Palmeiras’ 21-year-old Brazilian wonderkid Allan, with scouts bestowing a perfect rating on his ability to circulate the ball under high pressure. While the young forward carries a €100m (£87m) release clause, initial bids are expected to start around €30m (£26m) in the summer, presenting a tangible opportunity to rebuild an attack that is currently searching for its missing spark.
