Arne Slot has leapt to the defence of Mohamed Salah after the Liverpool forward endured a frustrating evening in the Premier League defeat to Chelsea. The 33-year-old had several opportunities at Stamford Bridge but failed to find the net, as the Reds slipped to a third consecutive league loss.
The focus keyphrase — Arne Slot jumps to defence of Mohamed Salah after Liverpool star misses 'many opportunities' in Chelsea loss — highlights the key narrative of Slot’s post-match press conference. Despite Salah’s poor finishing on the night, the Dutch coach emphasised that his talismanic winger is “only human” and that such games are part of football.
According to Sofascore, Salah has already registered three goals and three assists this season across competitions, but his blank in West London continued a minor drought by his usual world-class standards. The Egyptian was rested in midweek during Liverpool’s shock 1-0 Champions League defeat to Galatasaray, raising questions about whether the lack of rhythm impacted his sharpness against Chelsea.
Liverpool’s defeat, sealed by Estevao’s stoppage-time strike for Chelsea, leaves Slot with more pressing concerns than Salah’s missed chances. With rivals pushing up the table, the Reds’ ability to turn dominance into results is under the spotlight. Will Salah rediscover his killer touch in time to spark a turnaround?
Slot defends Salah despite Chelsea misses
Slot argued that the key takeaway was not Salah’s wastefulness, but the fact he continued to get into the right areas. He underlined the importance of patience, especially with a player who has carried Liverpool’s attack for nearly a decade.
“Today he had many opportunities to do what he has done so often, but he is a human being. It is not like every chance he gets is always a goal.” — Arne Slot
The manager added that his side created more than enough to secure at least a draw, only to be undone by Chelsea’s late winner.
Mohamed Salah’s scoring record remains elite
Despite criticism, Salah’s consistency remains remarkable. Since joining Liverpool from Roma in 2017, he has never scored fewer than 18 league goals in a season. At 33, he has already matched or bettered the early-season output of many younger forwards, with three goals and three assists by October.
His ability to sustain high performance levels over eight full seasons is testament to his professionalism and fitness. The question now is whether Liverpool can adapt tactically to support him when goals prove harder to come by.
Mohamed Salah 2025/26 stats
| Stat (2025/26) | Mohamed Salah |
|---|---|
| Appearances | 10 |
| Goals | 3 |
| Assists | 3 |
| Pass Accuracy | –% |
source: sofascore match data – 4 October 2025
While the numbers don’t yet reflect his peak seasons, Salah’s combined six goal contributions are still among Liverpool’s most valuable. If the chances continue to flow, history suggests the goals will soon follow.
Analyst verdict
FootballPlace analyst John William believes Slot was right to defend his star man. “When a player like Salah continues to generate high-quality chances, the goals will inevitably return. The worry would be if he was invisible in games — but that’s far from the case.”
He also notes that Salah’s misses highlight Liverpool’s current fragility. “Slot’s high-pressing system relies on ruthlessness at both ends. If Salah converts just one of those chances, we’re talking about a very different result and mood around the club.”
Key insights
- Slot defended Salah despite missed chances in Chelsea defeat.
- Salah has three goals and three assists so far this season.
- The Egyptian has never scored fewer than 18 league goals in a campaign.
- Liverpool suffered their third straight league loss.
- Chelsea snatched victory through Estevao’s stoppage-time strike.
What’s next for Salah and Liverpool?
Liverpool face a critical run of fixtures that will test their resolve and Slot’s tactical approach. With confidence shaken, the onus will be on senior players like Salah to inspire a turnaround. His next opportunity comes in the Premier League next weekend, where a response will be vital to stop the slide.
Salah’s form will dominate the narrative. If he quickly rediscovers his ruthless edge, Liverpool can stabilise and push back into contention. If not, pressure will mount on Slot’s reign and on the squad’s ability to share the goalscoring burden.
👉 Do you believe Salah’s misses are just a temporary blip — or a sign that Liverpool must start planning for life after their talisman?
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