Liverpool suffered a setback in their pursuit of silverware, falling 2-1 to Newcastle in the Carabao Cup final on Sunday.
The defeat was particularly disappointing for Mohamed Salah, whose performance fell well below his usual standards, raising concerns about his form.
A night to forget for Salah
The Egyptian forward, widely regarded as Liverpool’s attacking talisman, struggled to make an impact throughout the match.
Playing the full 90 minutes, he recorded just 23 touches—an unusually low figure for a player expected to orchestrate the team’s offensive efforts.
Salah completed 13 of his 17 attempted passes, posting a modest success rate of 76%.
However, his usual creativity and precision were lacking, as he managed just one successful cross from two attempts.
More worryingly, the forward failed to register a single shot—on target, off target, or blocked—throughout the contest.
Uncharacteristic struggles in front of goal
A player renowned for his goal-scoring prowess, Salah was uncharacteristically anonymous in the attacking third.
He failed to create any chances, a rare occurrence for a player who has been instrumental in Liverpool’s success in both the Premier League and European competitions.
Since joining Liverpool in 2017, Salah has built a reputation for delivering in high-stakes matches.
However, this was the first time he completed a full match for the club without registering a single shot or making a notable impact in the opposition’s box.
Implications for Liverpool’s season
Liverpool will be hoping that Salah’s performance was merely an off night rather than an indication of a deeper slump.
As they continue their push for Premier League and European success, they will need their star forward at his best.
With crucial fixtures ahead, the pressure is on for Salah to rediscover his usual sharpness and lead Liverpool’s charge in the title race.
