Mohamed Salah has just matched an unfortunate record at Liverpool

Mohamed Salah came back from the Africa Cup of Nations but along with Liverpool faced a loss to Bournemouth, replicating an unfortunate Premier League record and sparking worries about the squad's performance.

Mohamed Salah has just rejoined Liverpool after the Africa Cup of Nations with high hopes of helping the team end their inconsistent run. However, the 2-3 loss to Bournemouth in the Premier League pushed the Egyptian star into an unwanted milestone in the club’s history. This defeat marked Salah’s involvement in the starting lineup in 7 out of the last 8 Premier League matches where Liverpool suffered a loss, thereby equaling the unfortunate record previously held by Dirk Kuyt during the 2011/12 season.

This is a shocking statistic for a player who has been a symbol of victory at Anfield for nearly a decade. Salah was expected to be a cornerstone for coach Arne Slot during Liverpool’s slump, but the reality shows that his return has not yet delivered the desired impact. Against Bournemouth, Liverpool appeared unstable, exposing many defensive gaps and failing to control the game despite having top attacking talents.

Salah being linked to Dirk Kuyt’s unwanted record only heightens fans’ concerns. The 2011/12 season saw Liverpool struggle in the Premier League, finishing 8th despite winning the League Cup. At that time, Kuyt was in the final stage of his Anfield career. Currently, Salah remains a key player with significant influence in the dressing room, so his association with this negative streak is seen as a worrying sign.

Liverpool’s internal situation does not make things easier. Before heading to the Africa Cup of Nations, Salah openly admitted to a tense relationship with coach Arne Slot after being sidelined. Although reintegrated into the squad, the loss to Bournemouth reignited these controversies amid Liverpool’s poor record of only 5 wins in their last 18 Premier League games.

From being title contenders, Liverpool currently sit in 6th place and face the risk of falling out of the top 4. For Arne Slot, the challenge with Mohamed Salah is not just about individual form but also about balancing the entire system to prevent the team from sliding further.