Mohamed Salah’s latest data shows why Liverpool will be worried after Crystal Palace defeat
Liverpool manager Arne Slot has a conundrum to solve as a tactical issue appeared during the Red’s Community Shield defeat to Crystal Palace.
Palace lifted the trophy on penalties despite Liverpool taking the lead twice in the contest through goals from new signings Hugo Ekitike and Jeremie Frimpong.
Liverpool were pegged back by a Jean Philippe-Mateta penalty and a strike from Ismaila Sarr in the second half.
Slot will have learned about his new look squad before the Premier League season begins at Anfield against Bournemouth on Friday.
Salah ineffective against Palace
Whilst Slot will have been delighted at two of his new summer arrivals netting a goal each, the Dutchman will have been concerned about the performance of star Mo Salah.
Salah is usually a match winner for Liverpool in these fixtures, but the Egyptian left Wembley having had a quiet match by his high standards.
The 33-year-old played the entire 90 minutes and only had one shot in the match, partly down to Crystal Palace’s defensive display as well as Liverpool’s inability to get the most out of Salah.
Salah also missed the first penalty in the shootout to cap off a poor afternoon.
| Minutes Played | 90 |
| Total shots | 1 |
| Chances created | 0 |
| Touches | 26 |
| Successful dribbles | 0 |
New right-back Frimpong wants to get forward at every opportunity and inverts into midfield, crowding Salah out and forcing him to stay wide.
Salah is then unable to cut inside on his left foot, a dangerous weapon that has yielded plenty of goals during his career at Anfield.
Slot must solve Salah problem
Salah was Liverpool’s top goal scorer last season with 34 goals in all competitions, with the forward the most crucial player their title triumph.
Without an effective Salah, Slot will lose a lot of goals and attacking threat down the right flank.
Frimpong must work with Salah to ensure that one of his most dangerous actions, cutting in on his left foot, continues to be a weapon in his armoury.
Slot has added to his forward options so they are not over reliant on Salah again this season, though his form is crucial to how the team performs.
Liverpool must do more too against Bournemouth to ensure Salah is effective and that he can hurt the Cherries back four.