Slot Backs Salah to End Scoring Drought as Liverpool Prepare for West Ham Test

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Liverpool head coach Arne Slot has thrown his full support behind Mohamed Salah, insisting the forward will soon return to scoring form despite a prolonged Premier League drought.

Salah has not found the net in the league since November’s 2-0 win over Aston Villa. The nine match run without a top flight goal is the longest of his Liverpool career since joining from AS Roma in 2017, but Slot remains confident the goals will flow again.

“He set his own standards and those are so, so, so high and the moment he doesn’t score for a few games people are immediately surprised – that is the biggest compliment he can get,” Slot said.

“Three games ago he had an assist and a goal against a very good Premier League team Brighton & Hove Albion. That is the reality. Then you can change data and say he did not score in nine league games. That is the standard he sets for himself and that is why people are surprised.”

Slot acknowledged that Salah’s recent output is below his usual level, but pointed to previous spells where the Egyptian eventually rediscovered his scoring touch.

“We are used to Mo scoring a lot of goals and at this moment in time that is maybe the biggest difference,” he added. “But we also know this has happened before. I know in the end he always starts scoring again. That is the challenge he has and we have now to make sure he starts scoring again.”

The Dutch coach also stressed that Liverpool’s attacking issues are collective rather than focused solely on Salah, noting recent goal droughts for Hugo Ekitike and Cody Gakpo. However, he highlighted the team’s defensive solidity, pointing to clean sheets and high scoring displays against Qarabag and Newcastle United.

Looking ahead to Saturday’s league meeting with West Ham United, Slot confirmed defender Jeremie Frimpong could return after recovering from a hamstring injury. However, midfielder Florian Wirtz remains sidelined with a back problem.

“I don’t expect Florian to be available, so that is a disappointment,” Slot said. “At this moment in time, I honestly don’t know when he will return. It’s a big accomplishment that he stayed fit for such a long time, especially after adapting to Liverpool and the Premier League, but this week and last week he is not available and that’s a disappointment for him and for us.”

As Liverpool chase consistency in both performance and results, Slot’s belief in Salah’s inevitable return to form could prove crucial in the weeks ahead.

WRITTEN BY

Hailey

Hailey Russell is a football journalist and former Division 1 collegiate athlete in the United States, bringing a unique blend of elite playing experience and professional insight to her work. Currently competing at the professional level in Europe, Hailey combines first-hand knowledge of the modern game with sharp analysis across match reports, player development, and tactical breakdowns.