Liverpool's start to the Premier League season has been turbulent, and a startling statistic about Mohamed Salah has been revealed, highlighting his struggle to adapt to the new campaign.
The Egyptian star, one of the most prolific players in Premier League history, has completed just one successful dribble from eight attempted so far this season.
The dramatic drop in the 33-year-old's close control and direct attacking output has raised serious questions about his form.
The number is a stark contrast to his usual output, where he has been a consistent source of goals and assists.
The alarming statistic suggests that the winger is no longer able to beat defenders one-on-one, a key aspect of his game that made him such a threat to opponents.
The startling drop in Salah’s attacking output
His successful dribble rate is currently just 12.5%, one of the lowest of his career.
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If you compare that to last season, the Egyptian winger completed 42.3% of his attempted dribbles.
So far this season has fallen well below his usual high standards.
The drop-off in this metric is compounded by a significant reduction in other key attacking areas.
The Egyptian's overall numbers for shots, dribbles, chances created, and touches in the box have all "dropped significantly," according to former teammate Daniel Sturridge speaking on Sky Sports.
Sturridge has urged Salah to "change his game" to adapt to the changing landscape of the Premier League.
The former striker believes that Salah is reluctant to let go of his status as the "main man" and is struggling to adapt to Arne Slot's new system.
Why the star player needs to evolve his game
The struggles of Mohamed Salah are not just about his form; they are also about the tactical evolution of the team.
The former Liverpool forward Daniel Sturridge has suggested that Salah needs to evolve his game as his career reaches its latter stages.
The Egyptian is still a threat to opponents, but he is now being man-marked in most games.
The sheer number of shots and touches in the box that Salah had last season is nearly double what he has this season.
This change in output is a direct result of the increasing defensive attention he is receiving.
The club's reliance on Salah has been a major source of concern for some time, and the current statistics suggest that the club's new direction is having a major impact on the player.
Liverpool news and related links
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- Former Liverpool star points out one missing factor in Arne Slot's team