Liverpool manager Arne Slot has suggested that Mo Salah’s recent slump is partly connected to Trent Alexander-Arnold’s summer move to Real Madrid. Salah, who signed a lucrative contract last season, has now gone six games without a goal and was dropped from the starting lineup for Liverpool’s UEFA Champions League clash against Eintracht Frankfurt on Wednesday.

Slot acknowledged the difficulty of the situation, noting the team has experienced significant changes this season. “No one is used to losing, for long-standing and new players alike,” Slot said. “Maybe his whole Liverpool play revolved around Trent, so it could be part of it. But Mo has had promising opportunities to score, even without Trent. Changes in the squad require new connections, and Mo is no exception.”

The 33-year-old winger has managed just one goal from open play in the Premier League this season, during Liverpool’s 4-2 win over Bournemouth.

His struggles were highlighted during a recent four-game losing streak, including missed chances against Chelsea and Manchester United. Salah was substituted late in the United game and later omitted from the Frankfurt starting XI, coming on only for 18 minutes in the second half during a 5-1 victory.

Off the pitch, fans noticed Salah had removed references to Liverpool from his social media profiles, changing his profile pictures and deleting the club’s tag on X and Instagram.

Salah will hope to regain his form and a starting spot when Liverpool face Brentford on Saturday, seeking their first Premier League win in over a month and aiming to close the gap with early-season leaders Arsenal.