Unveiling the Underrated: Why Salah and Slot Should Be Celebrated Despite Champions League Setback

Defeat at the hands of Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League has cast an even brighter light on Liverpool and Mohamed Salah's Premier League exploits. The shortcomings of his teammates have never been more glaring. After a poor result, it's all too easy to target the big names—be it players or managers. We've been there too, speculating wildly about whether a certain manager's job is safe after yet another Tottenham defeat, for instance. Liverpool's loss to PSG under Luis Enrique was no exception; Salah has faced his fair share of criticism, especially after being well-contained by Nuno Mendes across the two legs. Arne Slot has also come under fire for his tactical decisions. However, Mendes truly deserves accolades for his performance, as he effectively neutralised Salah, particularly in the first leg where the Egyptian's stats were utterly blank. At Anfield, Mendes again shone, restricting Salah to just one on-target attempt while completing a solid defensive display. While Mendes was impressive, Salah’s struggles should not warrant him being made a scapegoat. Surprisingly, these encounters with PSG have only revealed the limitations of Liverpool's supporting cast. Take Diogo Jota, for instance—his last Champions League goal came over two years ago, and his influence on the game has dissipated. Although he's managed to score crucial goals in the league, his overall contribution is certainly lacking. Then you've got the interesting case of Darwin Núñez. With his hefty price tag, he's more enigma than marquee player. With speculation surrounding his future, it’s evident that Slot may not be entirely sold on developing him into a consistent performer. When he replaced Jota against PSG, he failed to make a meaningful impact, stepping onto a field where Liverpool were already flagging. Missing a penalty in the shootout was par for the course, a small consolation for fans considering Curtis Jones' equally poor showing. The limitations of Jota and Núñez raise questions about how Salah can possibly break the Premier League assist record when he’s tethered to those lacking in finesse. Even Luis Diaz, who started brightly, seems to have lost his touch, while Cody Gakpo has emerged as a bright spot beside Salah. These recent matches have underscored the erratic decision-making of Diaz and the impact-free performances of both Jota and Núñez. Salah may have struggled against PSG, but his performance metrics this season are still extraordinary, especially when his teammates falter on the grandest stage. With Salah’s phenomenal stats—17 assists already this league season, poised to eclipse Thierry Henry's all-time record—Liverpool's tenure under Slot remains impressive. They sit a comfortable 15 points clear of Arsenal, demonstrating that the transition post-Klopp has been handled with finesse. It’s remarkable to think Salah hasn’t developed a hunchback given the weight he carries for the team.