Mohamed Salah Sets,Unwanted Liverpool Record, After 3-2 Loss

Mohamed Salah Equals Unwanted Liverpool Record After Bournemouth Defeat

Liverpool striker Mohamed Salah reached an unwelcome milestone recently in his career. He equalled Dirk Kuyt’s club record unfortunately and disappointingly. The record involves seven losses in eight starts specifically. Additionally, Dirk Kuyt’s club record of seven losses was equalled by him. This happened in eight Premier League starts for the club. Furthermore, seven losses in eight Premier League starts was the record matched by Salah. Moreover, this followed a 3-2 loss at Bournemouth on Monday. The defeat came on January 26 at the Vitality Stadium.

Worst Season Since Roma Transfer

Currently, Salah, 33, is in the midst of struggles. He faces one of his worst seasons significantly now. This applies for the Reds since arriving from Italy. His move came from AS Roma in the summer specifically. The transfer happened in 2017 when he joined Liverpool. His current form contrasts sharply with previous campaigns.

Specifically, he has scored just four times this season. His goal tally remains unusually low for his standards. Additionally, he also provided four assists in 15 outings. These contributions came in 15 outings in the Premier League. The numbers reflect a concerning decline in productivity. Furthermore, he drew a blank in the aforementioned defeat. This happened in the aforementioned defeat at the Cherries. Salah failed to score against Bournemouth on Monday. The goalless performance highlighted his ongoing struggles clearly.

Indeed, Mohamed Salah’s equalling of Dirk Kuyt’s unwanted record of seven defeats in eight Premier League starts, combined with just four goals and four assists in 15 league appearances this season, marks his worst campaign since joining Liverpool from AS Roma in 2017.

Return from AFCON Yields No Goals

Previously, Salah had missed the last six league games significantly. This absence happened owing to his AFCON commitments with Egypt. The tournament kept him away from Liverpool for weeks. He represented his country in the African championship recently.

Upon returning, Salah couldn’t find the back of the net unfortunately. His goal-scoring touch remained absent against Bournemouth completely. However, he delivered an assist to Dominik Szoboszlai positively. The pass helped make it 2-2 in the 80th minute. His creative contribution temporarily rescued Liverpool from defeat. The assist showed he still contributes despite not scoring.

Nevertheless, Amine Adil’s 95th-minute winner changed everything dramatically. The late goal ended the Reds’ 13-game unbeaten run. This streak had lasted across competitions impressively before Monday. The defeat shocked Liverpool fans watching worldwide devastatingly.

Matching Kuyt’s Unwanted Record

Moreover, the defeat also meant that Salah reached a milestone. He has finished on the losing side in seven matches. This applies to his last eight Premier League starts specifically. Consequently, he is tying with Kuyt’s mark set previously. Kuyt’s mark was set with the Reds between February specifically. This period extended to May 2012 for the Dutchman. The statistic comes as per GOAL’s records accurately.

Furthermore, during this period, the Egyptian has scored twice only. One goal came in the 3-2 defeat at Brentford. Another arrived in the 2-0 home win over Aston Villa. His limited goal output during this stretch concerns supporters greatly.

Approaching Worst Scoring Drought

Additionally, Salah has not scored in his last five games. This drought spans his last five Premier League games worryingly. He has been starting thrice during this barren spell. The goalless run continues growing with each match.

Consequently, Salah is two short of his worst record. He approaches his worst scoring streak in the competition. His overall record includes 190 times scored impressively. This came in 316 games throughout his career. He also contributed 91 assists during this period. Moreover, he won two titles with Liverpool previously. His current drought contrasts sharply with his legendary status.

Indeed, Mohamed Salah’s assist for Dominik Szoboszlai couldn’t prevent Liverpool’s 3-2 defeat to Bournemouth, leaving him with just two goals during his seven losses in eight Premier League starts while sitting two games short of his worst-ever goalless streak in the competition despite his legendary record of 190 goals and 91 assists across 316 appearances.

“It’s a Cruel Game” – Liverpool Boss Arne Slot After Bournemouth Defeat

Manager Laments Stoppage-Time Heartbreak

Liverpool boss Arne Slot expressed frustration after the match clearly. He rued conceding the winner in stoppage time devastatingly. The goal came in a five-goal Premier League thriller unfortunately. This happened at AFC Bournemouth on Sunday afternoon away. Moreover, the loss dropped the Reds to sixth place. They fell to sixth in the standings after the defeat. The result represented a significant setback for Liverpool’s campaign.

First-Half Collapse and Second-Half Fightback

Previously, first-half goals from Evanilson put Liverpool behind early. Additionally, Alex Jimenez added another goal for the hosts. These strikes gave the hosts a two-goal advantage comfortably. Bournemouth controlled the opening period completely and impressively.

However, Reds captain Virgil van Dijk reduced arrears before halftime. He scored on the cusp of half-time with a header. His goal gave Liverpool hope going into the break. Subsequently, Dominik Szoboszlai equalised in the 80th minute brilliantly. The Hungarian midfielder’s strike made it 2-2 late. Liverpool appeared to have salvaged a point from the match.

Nevertheless, Amine Adil’s dramatic 95th-minute winner changed everything. His late goal sunk Slot’s side in stoppage time. The Bournemouth substitute’s effort secured all three points. Liverpool left the Vitality Stadium empty-handed after leading late.

Slot’s Post-Match Reflection

Subsequently, speaking to BBC after the match, Slot shared thoughts. He reflected on the cruel nature of football today.

He told reporters:

“It is a cruel game if you lose in extra time after coming back from 2-0 down at half-time. It felt to me that if we were able to make up the 2-1, we would have been back in the game.”

Belief Despite Two-Goal Deficit

Furthermore, Slot explained his feelings during the comeback attempt. He maintained belief throughout the second half despite the deficit.

He continued:

“We were a lot of the time in promising positions, but we were 2-0 down, and it did feel to me that we were going to score and get back in the game. It is fair to say that in the last 10-minutes it was more open, but I could see that my players were tired because we only had two days in between each game.”

Fixture Congestion Takes Toll

The manager’s comments highlighted fatigue issues among players. Liverpool’s schedule has been relentless recently with minimal recovery. The two-day gap between matches affected performance levels. His players showed visible tiredness in the final stages.

Crucial Champions League Test Ahead

Meanwhile, Liverpool return to action on Wednesday soon. They host Qarabag in their final fixture coming up. This match is in their final UEFA Champions League league phase game. The European competition provides a different challenge now.

Currently, fourth in the 36-team standings, Liverpool sit well. A win will seal their place in the knockouts. Qualification remains within reach despite recent struggles. The Champions League offers redemption after the Bournemouth disappointment. Slot needs his tired squad to recover quickly.

Indeed, Arne Slot’s description of football as “a cruel game” after Liverpool’s 95th-minute defeat at Bournemouth, where they fought back from 2-0 down only to concede a late winner, highlighted both his team’s fatigue from playing every two days and the urgent need for recovery before Wednesday’s crucial Champions League qualifier against Qarabag.