Mohamed Salah’s limited involvement without the ball is increasingly becoming an issue for Liverpool, particularly against stronger opponents. It is likely that head coach Arne Slot has instructed the forward to stay high up the pitch, allowing him to focus on attacking transitions — a strategy that has made him one of the game’s most dangerous scorers.
However, those playing behind him are not offering enough cover, leaving the right-back position exposed. Whether it has been Jeremie Frimpong, Conor Bradley, or Dominik Szoboszlai filling that role, each has been left to deal with numerical disadvantages down their flank.
Chelsea exploited this weakness effectively, creating overloads on Liverpool’s right side, which played a decisive role in their winning goal. The concern is that other sides will identify and replicate this approach.
Salah’s defensive freedom and its consequences
There is little indication that Salah has been instructed to chase back and help defend. If he had been tasked with tracking Marc Cucurella, his lack of action would have been obvious, and Slot is unlikely to tolerate that.
Instead, the Egyptian appears to have been deliberately allowed to conserve energy for attacking situations, a tactic many teams have successfully used with their star forwards.
Although Salah has shown in the past — notably in a win at Manchester City last season — that he is capable of diligent defensive work when required, this seems to be a matter of tactical instruction rather than effort. He can defend when asked, but that responsibility currently does not seem to be part of his role.
Tactical structure behind Salah is the real issue
The main problem lies not with Salah’s positioning but with how the team is organized behind him.
Chelsea frequently advanced through central areas before quickly switching the ball to their left, targeting the open space on Liverpool’s right. When midfielders such as Ryan Gravenberch or Alexis Mac Allister were slow to shift over, gaps opened in front of the defense as players vacated the center.
This weakness is less noticeable against sides Liverpool dominate in possession, as seen during their title-winning campaign, but it becomes more pronounced when facing top-level opposition capable of exploiting space quickly.
Control of matches has slipped
Salah’s role has not changed significantly this season, but his lack of goals has drawn greater attention to the defensive side of his game. His finishing remains a strength, and his form in front of goal is expected to return — he created several good opportunities against Chelsea but made the wrong decision at key moments.
More concerning is Liverpool’s reduced ability to control matches compared to last season. Recent defeats in both domestic and European competitions have been accompanied by unusually erratic performances. Last year, Slot’s approach gave the team better organisation and authority in possession, a contrast to the chaotic closing stages of the recent Chelsea match, which resembled an open cup tie rather than a controlled league game.
Finding solutions without panic
Liverpool’s problems are clear but not insurmountable. Despite changes in personnel and playing style, the team simply needs to rediscover its composure and patience. They remain close to the top of the Premier League, trailing leaders Arsenal by just a single point, with time to address these flaws.
Several key players, including Alexander Isak, Mac Allister, Bradley, and Hugo Ekitike, lacked full preseason preparation and are still working towards peak fitness. As relationships on the pitch develop — such as the partnership between Salah and the right-back, or between Florian Wirtz and Isak — their collective understanding should improve.
Liverpool are undergoing a period of adjustment, while Arsenal appear settled, and Manchester City look stronger than expected with Erling Haaland in form. Slot’s side still has the potential to grow, but finding defensive balance behind Salah remains essential for sustained success.
