Arne Slot is refusing to panic over Mohamed Salah’s barren Premier League run, insisting the Liverpool forward will soon return to his ruthless best in front of goal.

Salah has not scored in the league since a win over Aston Villa in early November, a nine-game spell that represents his longest top flight drought since arriving from Roma in 2017. For a player who has redefined expectations at Anfield, the numbers have prompted scrutiny, but not from his manager.

“He set his own standards and those are so, so, so high and the moment he doesn’t score for a few games people are immediately surprised – that is the biggest compliment he can get,” Slot said, arguing that the debate around Salah is a product of his extraordinary consistency rather than evidence of decline.

Slot was keen to challenge the way statistics are being used to frame the conversation. He pointed to Salah’s recent contribution against Brighton, where the Egyptian produced a goal and an assist, as a more accurate reflection of his influence than a narrow focus on league goals alone.

“You can change data and say he did not score in nine Premier League games. That is the standard he sets for himself and that is why people are surprised when things like that happen,” Slot explained. “We are used to Mo scoring a lot of goals. I know in the end he always starts scoring again. That is the challenge he has and we have now, to make sure he starts scoring again.”

The Dutchman also stressed that Salah is not the only attacker underperforming in front of goal. Hugo Ekitike and Cody Gakpo have also struggled to find the net regularly, turning Liverpool’s recent issues into what Slot described as “a team thing which we have to improve,” even as the side continues to collect clean sheets and rack up big wins in Europe and domestically.

Slot offered a cautiously positive update on defender Jeremie Frimpong, who could return against West Ham after a hamstring problem. However, influential midfielder Florian Wirtz remains out with a back issue, with Slot admitting he has no clear timeframe for his comeback, describing the absence as a disappointment for both player and team.