Mohamed Salah looks like a completely different player to the one everyone has seen in previous seasons.
Whether it is just a minor blip or more of a crisis, the Reds are certainly going through a really tough period right now.
Four losses on the bounce will be a massive worry, but so too will be individual performances, with Salah perhaps the biggest concern.
The Egyptian has only scored twice this season and has struggled to make an impact in the majority of games, leading to many fans believing he should be dropped.
Jamie Carragher agrees with this to some extent, but he has offered an alternative approach that might just be the solution.
Jamie Carragher suggests Mohamed Salah should only start at Anfield
After everything the 33-year-old has done for Liverpool, it feels incredibly strange, and wrong, to be talking about Salah losing his place in the side.
However, no one is untouchable and as uncomfortable as the conversation might be, it has to be brought up at some point.
Right now, he simply is not doing enough to justify keeping his place, especially when players like Federico Chiesa are working hard and taking their opportunities when they arise.
So, a slightly new approach might need to happen with Salah, and Carragher has suggested that he does not start away from home due to his lack of defensive contributions.
“I don’t think Mohamed Salah is like a Virgil van Dijk where it’s like ‘you’re first name on the teamsheet,’ Carragher said on Sky Sports.
“Liverpool have got two away games, one in the Champions League against Frankfurt, and then they go to Brentford.
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“I don’t think Mo Salah should start both of those games. He should always be starting at Anfield because Liverpool are going to be on top, be around the box and more often than not, he scores.
“But I do think with away games and helping your right full-back as well, I don’t think he should be starting every game, certainly away from home given the form that he is in.”
Mohamed Salah needs his minutes managed
Just like Carragher is alluding to, Salah should not be starting every game, with this due to a combination of his form and his age.
The good thing for Liverpool, though, is that they now have a few options to help cover when needed, mainly in the form of Chiesa and Jeremie Frimpong.
Arne Slot could even switch system and find a way to play Hugo Ekitike and Alexander Isak together instead, meaning that he opts for a narrow approach when Salah is not starting.
The Dutchman certainly has plenty to think about but rather than a negative time full of issues, Reds fans should see it as a period where the future of the club might just be gelling into place.
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