The forward in question—widely interpreted from recent scrutiny and performance stats as Mohamed Salah—has not scored in the Premier League since May 2025, a run stretching deep into the 2025/26 campaign despite occasional contributions in other competitions or via assists. While Salah has netted in recent non-league fixtures (including Champions League outings like the Marseille win), his domestic output has dried up alarmingly, with critics pointing to “terrible drama,” careless touches, poor decision-making, and a string of games where his influence has waned. This has coincided with Liverpool’s inconsistent form—recent losses like the 3-2 defeat to Bournemouth on January 24, 2026, where Salah assisted but failed to score himself—fueling narratives that his presence is hindering rather than helping the team’s rebuild under Slot.
John Barnes, the Liverpool icon known for his no-nonsense views, has reportedly stepped in with a strong, uncompromising message to the Dutch manager. In comments echoed across fan discussions and punditry circles (building on his earlier calls for patience but now shifting tone amid the slump), Barnes insisted that “if you truly love your job, Arne Slot, you have to make the hard decision now.” He argued that Liverpool cannot afford “passengers” at this pivotal stage of the season and rebuild, warning that clinging to underperforming players out of loyalty or hope could derail Slot’s long-term vision at Anfield. Barnes emphasized that while the forward’s legacy is immense, current standards demand results over nostalgia—keeping a player in the side who isn’t delivering in the league could cost the manager dearly in terms of points, momentum, and fan support.
The drought has become a flashpoint: despite Salah’s historical haul (hundreds of goals for the club) and recent flashes of quality post-AFCON return, the bigger picture shows a worrying decline in clinical edge. Slot has defended the player publicly, praising professionalism, pressing, and link-up play while reintegrating him after earlier tensions, but the lack of Premier League goals since last May has left many questioning whether the 33-year-old remains the ideal fit in a system pushing for efficiency and ruthlessness. Fans have grown vocal, echoing Barnes’ sentiment that prolonged patience risks more “costly mistakes” and dressing-room unease.
Barnes’ intervention adds weight to the debate, as he has previously urged calm during Liverpool’s rocky patches this season but now appears to draw a line: results must come first. With the January window still open (though a mid-season exit seems unlikely without a bid), the pressure mounts for Slot to either spark a revival or consider tough calls—potentially benching, rotating more aggressively, or preparing for a summer farewell. Legends like Steven Gerrard have similarly highlighted the need to avoid distractions, reinforcing that unresolved issues hurt unity when silverware is at stake.
Liverpool’s campaign hangs in the balance: strong in Europe (top-eight contention) but vulnerable domestically amid dropped points and scrutiny. Slot faces a defining moment—ignore the warnings, and the rebuild could stall; heed them, and it might require unpopular but necessary changes. For now, the message from Barnes is clear: love the job enough to act decisively, before the drought becomes a deeper crisis.
