Why Mohamed Salah Is Struggling at Liverpool FC This Season According to Michael Owen

Former Liverpool striker Michael Owen has weighed in on why Mohamed Salah is experiencing a noticeable dip in form this season for Liverpool FC. Salah has recorded just three goals and two assists in his first nine Premier League appearances this campaign, a significant drop for a player accustomed to much higher output.

1. Age & Physical Decline

Owen pointed out that Salah is now 33, an age at which a forward could begin to feel the subtle effects of physical decline. He noted: “I retired at that age myself, so you can’t go on forever.”
This is not to say Salah isn’t capable — Owen confidently added: “If there’s anyone in the Premier League you shouldn’t doubt, it’s him.”

2. Change in Personnel & Supply from the Right

One of the major shifts highlighted by Owen is the departure of right-back/trend-setting assist-man Trent Alexander‑Arnold. Owen explained that Alexander-Arnold’s exit changed the dynamic of service Salah used to receive:

“Another [reason] is that there’s no Trent Alexander-Arnold feeding him those balls anymore … Conor Bradley plays differently; he looks to run past Salah rather than serve him.”
Statistics back this up. Salah’s touches in the opposition box have dropped steeply this season compared to previous campaigns.

3. Tactics, Role & Team Adaptation

Salah’s role at Liverpool has shifted. With new signings, evolving tactics, and opponents adapting, the team’s attacking patterns have changed.
Owen summarised:

“The tactics haven’t changed, but the personnel have. Or it could just be that the team isn’t firing yet.”
According to data, this season Salah is attempting fewer dribbles, taking fewer shots per 90 minutes and has a lower expected-goals (xG) than in previous seasons.

4. Confidence, Sharpness & the Human Factor

Even elite players go through phases of lower output. Liverpool’s head coach, Arne Slot, offered his explanation:

“Players miss chances … Mo is a human being as well.”
Owen echoed this, suggesting this slump could simply be a temporary blip.

5. Selfishness and Decision-Making

Interestingly, Owen also drew attention to a tactical/psychological shift:

“There is a lot of selfishness creeping in, I’ve seen that again … He’s not passing enough of the ball.”
While Salah has never been a high-volume passer, the suggestion is that his overall decision-making and contribution to team build-up have dipped.

In Summary

Michael Owen’s commentary suggests that Mohamed Salah’s form dip this season is multi-factorial rather than reducible to a single cause. The convergence of ageing/fatigue, change of personnel (especially: Alexander-Arnold’s departure), tactical adaptation, and an inevitable human variation in form are all part of the story. The good news: According to Owen, a rebound is well within reach given Salah’s proven class.

If you’re interested, I can also pull up detailed statistical charts comparing Salah’s output over the past seasons at Liverpool, and how his performance this year stacks up in context.