Mohamed Salah’s Defensive Role: A Tactical Challenge for Liverpool in 2025
Mohamed Salah’s defensive role, or lack thereof, has sparked debate as Liverpool face tactical challenges in the 2025-26 Premier League season. Arne Slot’s strategy, allowing Salah to stay high during transitions, fuels his 20-goal campaigns but exposes vulnerabilities, particularly against elite teams. The Mohamed Salah defensive role issue was evident in Liverpool’s 2-1 loss to Chelsea on October 5, 2025, where gaps on the right flank led to the winning goal. As Liverpool sit one point behind Arsenal, addressing this imbalance is crucial for their title chase.
The Mohamed Salah defensive role debate highlights a broader issue: midfield cover and defensive cohesion. While Salah’s attacking prowess remains vital, Slot must balance his freedom with team structure to restore control and avoid further setbacks.
The Tactical Cost of Salah’s Freedom
Slot’s tactics grant Salah freedom to conserve energy for attacks, a common approach for star forwards. However, this Mohamed Salah defensive role strategy leaves right-backs like Conor Bradley or Jeremie Frimpong exposed in 2v1 situations. Against Chelsea, Marc Cucurella exploited this, with Salah’s minimal tracking back contributing to the decisive goal. “It’s not about blaming Salah,” said pundit Jamie Carragher. “It’s about system balance.”
Salah’s defensive effort shone in last season’s 1-0 win at Manchester City, showing he can contribute when tasked. Yet, the Mohamed Salah defensive role issue persists against top sides, where Liverpool’s midfield struggles to cover gaps, amplifying vulnerabilities.
Midfield Struggles and Defensive Gaps
The Mohamed Salah defensive role problem stems from inadequate midfield support. Against Chelsea, Ryan Gravenberch and Alexis Mac Allister were slow to shift, leaving spaces that Cole Palmer exploited. Chelsea’s strategy—building centrally before switching wide—targeted Liverpool’s right flank. This exposed a lack of cohesion, with the Mohamed Salah defensive role issue magnifying the problem.
Last season, Slot’s Liverpool controlled games with possession and structure, a shift from Jurgen Klopp’s high-octane style. Now, with three straight losses in October 2025, including a Champions League defeat to Real Madrid, chaos has crept in. The Mohamed Salah defensive role debate underscores a need for tighter midfield coordination.
Salah’s Attacking Dip Amplifies Scrutiny
Salah’s 2025-26 form, with five goals in nine games, is below his usual 20-goal pace, drawing focus to his defensive contributions. Against Chelsea, missed chances and poor decision-making heightened scrutiny. “He’ll find his scoring touch,” Slot said, noting Salah’s 15 chances created. The Mohamed Salah defensive role issue overshadows his attacking output, but his return to form is expected.
Liverpool’s lack of game control, unlike their 2024-25 title challenge, compounds the Mohamed Salah defensive role problem. The Chelsea match’s end-to-end chaos highlighted a dip in composure, with new signings like Florian Wirtz still gelling.
Slot’s Path to Balance
Addressing the Mohamed Salah defensive role issue doesn’t require a tactical overhaul. Slot must enhance midfield discipline, ensuring Gravenberch or Mac Allister cover the right flank swiftly. Pairing Salah with a mobile right-back like Frimpong could ease 2v1 situations. “It’s about relationships,” Slot said, emphasizing time for new players like Wirtz and Hugo Ekitike to integrate.
Liverpool’s fitness, impacted by missed preseasons, will improve. The Mohamed Salah defensive role challenge is fixable with better pressing and positional tweaks. Upcoming games against Tottenham and Newcastle offer chances to regain momentum.
Premier League Context and Optimism
One point behind Arsenal, Liverpool have time to address the Mohamed Salah defensive role issue. Rivals like Manchester City, led by Erling Haaland’s 12 goals, and Arsenal’s defensive solidity face their own tests. “Every team stumbles,” Carragher noted. Liverpool’s rebuild, post-Klopp, is progressing, with Slot’s possession-based style showing promise.
The Mohamed Salah defensive role debate is a hurdle, not a crisis. As Salah regains his scoring edge and new signings settle, Liverpool can restore control and challenge for the title.
In conclusion, the Mohamed Salah defensive role issue exposes Liverpool’s tactical vulnerabilities in 2025-26. Slot’s system, while leveraging Salah’s attacking brilliance, needs midfield adjustments to counter elite teams. With time and tweaks, Liverpool can overcome this Mohamed Salah defensive role challenge, ensuring their title bid stays on track.
