Salah Reduced to Bit-Part Player as Liverpool Fall to City at Anfield

Liverpool's title defence took another blow on Sunday as Manchester City secured a hard-fought 2-1 victory at Anfield, but it was the performance of Mohamed Salah that drew particular ire from supporters.

The Egyptian winger cut an isolated figure for much of the contest, failing to impose himself on proceedings when his side needed inspiration. Where once Salah might have salvaged a poor performance with a crucial contribution, these days he simply drifts through matches without making an impact. His finishing was particularly wayward—he appeared incapable of finding the target from straightforward opportunities.

Liverpool's first-half display was laboured and unconvincing. City dominated possession and created numerous chances, with the hosts fortunate to reach the interval without falling further behind. The second half brought marked improvement, however. Arne Slot's tactical adjustments paid dividends as Liverpool became far more threatening and deservedly took the lead through a free-kick of remarkable quality.

That advantage proved short-lived. The match descended into chaos, featuring a controversial VAR decision that saw Szoboszlai shown red for denying Haaland a clear goalscoring opportunity. Despite the foul, the ball somehow found its way into the net, though the red card stood. The incident sparked considerable debate about whether the punishment fitted the crime, with some arguing that football might benefit from a "penalty goal" rule similar to rugby's penalty try.

There was also controversy surrounding an earlier penalty decision when Nunes reached the ball ahead of Alisson before colliding with the goalkeeper. Defenders questioned whether the keeper could reasonably have avoided the contact, though the referee's decision stood.

Salah's anonymity throughout the afternoon epitomised Liverpool's struggles. The club clearly requires reinforcements across multiple positions—wingers, midfielders, and defenders all need strengthening. Yet with the summer transfer window now closed and resources seemingly limited, questions linger over whether the current squad possesses sufficient quality to mount a serious title challenge.

For City, victory represented a crucial breakthrough at a fortress that has often resisted them. For Liverpool, it represented another opportunity squandered, with their hopes of retaining the crown looking increasingly fragile.