Without a question, Arne Slot’s time at Liverpool has been the most agonizing this week.
The Reds were eliminated from the Champions League in penalties after losing to Paris Saint-Germain 0-1 at Anfield.
They lost to Newcastle United 1-2 at Wembley a few days later, and they were unable to win the EFL Cup.
The Premier League title chase was all that Liverpool had to concentrate on after their chances of capturing four trophies were dashed in a matter of days.
From Four Runners to Just the Premier League Remains
Liverpool had dominated the league and performed exceptionally well in Europe this season under Slot’s direction.
Because of their domination, they were once likened to Klopp’s 2019–20 championship team. This season, they have only lost once in the Premier League (0-1 against Nottingham Forest).
EFL Cup semifinals: Won 4-0 in the second leg after losing 0-1 to Spurs.
March, however, became a nightmare: 0-1 loss to Plymouth and FA Cup elimination.
❌ Champions League exit: eliminated on penalties after losing 0-1 to PSG in the first leg.
❌ Loss in the EFL Cup final: Newcastle 1-2.
Liverpool went from competing on four fronts to merely vying for the Premier League title in just three games. It is quite disappointing that aspirations have dropped so sharply.
Crucial Match Challenges: “Big Game Fragility” for Liverpool?
A definite pattern can be seen in Liverpool’s losses this season: they do well against top clubs but struggle against tough, hard-charging opposition.
This season’s major losses:
Nottingham Forest (0-1): Sat deep, successfully countered.
Tottenham (0-1): Faced challenging opposition against a well-prepared defense.
PSV Eindhoven (2–3): Satisfied with their qualifying.
Plymouth (0-1): Unable to overcome a defense with little blocks.
PSG (0-1): Lost concentration during penalties and lacked attacking inventiveness.
Despite starting as the favorites, Newcastle (1-2) was unable to handle their intensity.
A recurring issue is that Liverpool struggles against physically demanding, unforgiving teams yet is not scared of well-known teams.
This points to a tactical weakness under Slot; while his system performs admirably over the course of a lengthy season, Liverpool appear tactically and mentally brittle in crucial, one-off games.
Mohamed Salah is the primary culprit?
Given his stellar performance this season, it might seem unjust to hold Salah responsible, yet his sharp decline in form in March coincided with Liverpool’s downfall.
Salah’s season-long totals of 43 games, 32 goals, and 22 assists earned him a spot in the Ballon d’Or. He also helped Liverpool advance through the Premier League and UCL group stages.
But his March form paints an entirely different picture!
Salah’s March performances:
Champions League against. PSG (Away): 16 possession losses, 0 shots, 0 successful dribbles, and 0 crucial passes.
Southampton versus. Premier League: 6 crucial passes, 21 possession losses, 5 shots (2 on goal, both penalties).
Champions League match against PSG (at home): two crucial passes, three successful dribbling attempts, four shots (one on target), and thirty-one possession losses.
Newcastle in the EFL Cup Final: 0 shots, 1 successful dribbling attempt, 0 crucial passes, and 6 lost possessions.
Salah would have had a goalless and assist-free March if not for the two penalties he scored against Southampton.
He had two games with zero shots in two UCL knockout matches and a cup final, which is a startling record for a top-tier forward.
This stands in stark contrast to his February statistics, which included seven goals and five assists when he scored or assisted against Newcastle, Tottenham, Everton, Aston Villa, and Man City.
In February, Salah was undoubtedly the best player, but in March, he was a total non-factor.
What Caused Salah’s Form to Decline? Ramadan may be one important cause.
The Islamic fasting month fell in March, and historically, Salah’s performance has suffered during this time.
Since fasting lowers energy levels, it’s possible that his fitness suffered during Liverpool’s high-stakes, tough games.
Even with this justification, though, it is still unacceptable for a top player to record two games with zero shots, particularly in a cup final and the Champions League knockout round.
Salah’s decline in play was, in many respects, a major factor in Liverpool’s elimination from both the domestic and European cups.
