Liverpool: Tragedy Named Mohamed Salah

In elite football, nothing is more cruel than the erosion of time. But for Mohamed Salah, that decline did not come gradually...

… It struck like a storm, sweeping away the image of the "Egyptian King" who once terrified every Premier League defense.

The king has lost his throne

The most emblematic image of Salah's decline was his performance in the disastrous 0-4 defeat at Man City in the recent FA Cup quarter-final. That was his first match since announcing he would leave Anfield as a free transfer at the end of this season. Fans hoped for a psychological release before his departure. But the reality at Etihad was a disappointment.

There were clear signs that time had caught up with Salah. Not long ago, being outpaced by the 35-year-old veteran Kieran Trippier was an alarming signal. But at Etihad, against a young and powerful Abdukodir Khusanov, Salah twice started with a lead of several meters, yet both times was easily caught up by the Man City defender.

Just 18 months ago, when he scored 34 goals, those opportunities would have been coldly finished by Salah. Now, the grace has been replaced by heaviness and awkwardness. Former Liverpool star Steve Nicol exclaimed that Salah's decline is unprecedented: "How can a player who nearly won the Player of the Year award last year become someone who seems to no longer know where the goal is?".

The pain is not only from speed, but also from the killer instinct in decisive moments. Against Man City, Salah could have changed the course of the match if he hadn't missed a golden opportunity early in the game due to a clumsy touch. The peak of disappointment was the penalty saved by James Trafford and the shot over the bar from a position where, over the past 9 years, he could have scored with his eyes closed. Salah's gaze before the 11-meter mark no longer held the sharpness usually seen, but instead showed unease.

The failed transition

Salah's decline is not just a personal issue but also reflects the current stagnation in Liverpool's system under Arne Slot. The Dutch strategist took over the team hoping Salah would be the "guide," mentoring expensive newcomers like Hugo Ekitike, Alexander Isak, and Florian Wirtz. After spending £450 million last summer, Liverpool hoped for a smooth transition between experience and youth.

However, reality unfolded in the worst scenario. Due to injuries and other factors, this trio of newcomers has only played together for a mere 88 minutes on the pitch. Without necessary support, Salah is forced to grind through matches in a physical state no longer at its peak, while the surrounding satellites haven't yet synchronized.

The result is that Liverpool often has to "carry" Salah on the field during many crucial moments. Tony Cascarino, a former Premier League striker, bluntly stated: "Currently, Liverpool is having to carry Salah. It's a terrible situation for the team, because he's not playing well enough to deserve a starting spot."

Even ahead of the Champions League clash with PSG, there were strong public opinions demanding Salah be dropped from the starting lineup. Roy Keane, a Manchester United icon, also offered pessimistic forecasts: Salah's announcement of departure at this sensitive time could turn fan sentiment from affection to criticism if the team continues to slump.

Meanwhile, those close to him have a different view on the cause of this decline. Mohamed Aboutrika, an Egyptian football legend and close friend of Salah, believes that Arne Slot's management style has "pushed" Salah away from Anfield.

The lack of harmony between the new manager's style and the ego of a superstar in the twilight of his career has created a suffocating atmosphere. Salah wants to play with serenity, but the pressure from the system change and excessive expectations has caused him to collapse.

Salah's farewell should have been a glorious "tour" to honor the greatest modern-era scorer in Liverpool's history. But now, it resembles a tragic low note.