In a recent interview, former Liverpool and England striker Michael Owen has weighed in on the much-discussed dip in form of Liverpool’s forward Mohamed Salah. Salah, widely regarded as one of the Premier
League’s greatest-ever forwards, has been a cornerstone of Liverpool’s success since joining the club in 2017. He has scored over 200 goals for the Reds and a litany of individual and team accolades, including a Premier League title and a Champions League trophy. However, this season, the 33-year-old has struggled to replicate the form, prompting speculation about the reasons behind his dip.
Speaking candidly in a television appearance, Michael Owen suggested that while Mohamed Salah’s goal-scoring prowess remains unquestioned, several factors could be contributing to his quieter start to the 2025-26 Premier League season. “If there’s something more going on, then age could be a factor, he’s 33 now. I retired at that age myself, so you can’t go on forever. That’s one possible reason,” said Owen. He further added, “Nobody would be surprised if he scored in his next game and went on a run, if there’s anyone in the Premier League you shouldn’t doubt, it’s him.” Despite this vote of confidence, Owen outlined several potential explanations for Salah’s current struggles, pointing to a combination of tactical, personnel, and personal factors that may be at play.
There’s no Trent Alexander-Arnold feeding him those balls anymore: Owen says about Salah
Another one of the key reasons Michael Owen highlighted is the change in Liverpool’s right-flank dynamics, particularly the absence of Trent Alexander-Arnold’s service from the right-back position. “Another [reason] is that there’s no Trent Alexander-Arnold feeding him those balls anymore,” Owen explained. He further added, “The dynamic has changed. Conor Bradley plays differently; he looks to run past Salah rather than serve him.” Owen noted that his analysis revealed Salah is now receiving the ball approximately 10 percent deeper on the pitch compared to last season. This deeper positioning may be forcing Salah to create his own opportunities rather than capitalizing on the kind of service that previously allowed him to thrive in advanced areas.
In a reassuring aspect, Michael Owen believes that Salah’s current form is likely a temporary blip rather than a sign of permanent decline. “Every attacking player goes through a spell like this,” he said. He further stated, “It’s more likely just a blip, and he’ll bounce back soon, but it could be a bit of all the above.” This perspective aligns with Salah’s own history of overcoming quiet periods. Even in past seasons, the forward has occasionally endured brief goal droughts only to respond with a flurry of goals, reasserting his status as one of the league’s deadliest finishers.
