Mohamed Salah, the iconic Liverpool forward known as the "Egyptian King," dominated the 2024-25 Premier League season with an unprecedented haul of goals and assists. He secured the Golden Boot, Playmaker award, and Player of the Season title, cementing his status as one of the league's greatest. However, seven matches into the 2025-26 Premier League season, Salah's form has dipped dramatically. With only two goals and three assists, fans are searching for answers to "why is Salah not performing" and "Salah poor season 2025."
Mohamed Salah's Stats: A Stark Decline from Last Season's Dominance
Last season, Salah's performance was legendary, tallying 28 goals and 18 assists in 35 appearances for a record 46 goal involvements—the most in a single Premier League campaign. He hit 30 goal contributions in just 18 games, outpacing historical benchmarks. In contrast, Salah's 2025 stats tell a different story, raising concerns about his form.
| Metric | 2024-25 (Per 90 Mins) | 2025-26 (Per 90 Mins, 7 Games) |
|---|---|---|
| Goals | 0.80 | 0.29 |
| Assists | 0.51 | 0.43 |
| Shots | 3.4 | 2.0 |
| Expected Goals (xG) | 0.63 | 0.32 |
| Progressive Passes Received | 5.3 (Total: 297) | 3.4 (Total: 41) |
| Goal Involvements | 1.31 | 0.72 |
His shot volume has plummeted, with one shot every 52.5 minutes—his lowest since joining Liverpool. In Fantasy Premier League, he's lagging behind mid-tier players, fueling debates on why Salah is underperforming in 2025.
This isn't the explosive Mohamed Salah Liverpool fans adore. Is it age, tactics, or something else causing this Salah poor form?
Arne Slot's Tactical Shift: How Liverpool's New System Is Isolating Salah
Arne Slot's appointment as head coach has introduced a possession-based 4-2-3-1 formation, aiming for control but disrupting Salah's rhythm. Under Jürgen Klopp, Salah benefited from Trent Alexander-Arnold's 147 line-breaking passes (LBPs)—the league's top duo. Salah led the league in progressive passes received (297).
Slot's approach, incorporating new No. 10 Florian Wirtz, has decentralized the attack. Liverpool still tops LBPs (444) and progressive passes (29.6 per game), but Salah ranks sixth in receptions (41), with his output dropping to 3.1 per game.
In the October 5 loss to Chelsea (2-1), Salah missed key chances, appearing frustrated and isolated. Slot admits: "He's out of form, but he's human." This tactical evolution is a prime suspect in Salah's struggling season.
Squad Changes and Integration Issues: Losing Key Partners Like Alexander-Arnold
Liverpool's summer overhaul has compounded Salah's challenges. Selling Trent Alexander-Arnold to Real Madrid for £100m stripped away Salah's main supplier—Salah scored 12 headers last season from his crosses. Replacement Conor Bradley has delivered just 10 LBPs to Salah.
New signings like Alexander Isak and Hugo Ekitike aimed to bolster the squad, but delayed integrations due to internationals have caused cohesion lapses. Pundit Troy Deeney suggests Salah's new contract has reduced his edge: "He might be coasting." Danny Murphy notes Salah's defensive lapses expose the right flank.
"He might be coasting after signing that new contract" — Troy Deeney
Liverpool's form—five early wins, then losses to Chelsea and Crystal Palace—mirrors these issues. As defending champions, teams now target Salah more aggressively. These disruptions are key to understanding why Salah isn't scoring in 2025.
Age, Fatigue, and Expectations: The Human Side of Salah's Dip
Turning 33, questions about Salah's age decline arise after a taxing title run. His shot accuracy (42% vs. 58%) and conversion rate (14% vs. 25%) have fallen. Fatigue from Egypt duties and Champions League games limits recovery.
Yet, Slot views it as team-wide: "It's not just Mo." Salah's stoppage-time winners earlier show glimpses of brilliance. ESPN's Ryan O'Hanlon warns: "Liverpool's success hinges on Salah's revival."
Can Salah Recover? Liverpool's Title Hopes Depend on It
Salah's poor start reflects Liverpool's vulnerabilities, sitting second but shaky. Fixtures against Arsenal (October 27) and Manchester City (November 10) are pivotal. Julien Laurens advises patience: "New dynamics need time."
While Mohamed Salah's 2025 slump is concerning, his track record suggests a comeback is possible. Liverpool fans hope the King reclaims his crown soon.
Analysis based on Opta, FBref, and expert insights. For Liverpool Salah updates, follow on X.