Sensational Liverpool star enjoys amazing rebirth thanks to Arne Slot

One of Liverpool's biggest stars looked reborn this week. And it's thanks to Arne Slot's decision.

Mo Salah enjoyed his best game in months against Galatasaray as Liverpool ran out 4-0 winners. The Egyptian scored and assisted in the win - the only real downside is that he's come away from it injured.

Salah now won't face Brighton at the weekend. Liverpool will need a replacement, though, as having him as a striker against Galatasaray was a game-changer.

The Reds' no.11 was able to play on the shoulder of the last defender and, importantly, operate closer to goal. It's been a real issue for Salah, stranded out on the flank for most of the season, struggling to get involved in positions he likes to operate in.

Part of that has been a decline in his pace. Another that Liverpool's inability to create chances going forward isolates all the forwards - but particularly the wingers.

Moving Salah central not only involves him more but gets rid of that pace problem. It sounds simple but just getting him closer to the box as a starting position has long felt like the right move to get the best out of him as he ages.

It's something we suggested all the way back in May and again when he was struggling for form in November. The difference in positioning is stark.

Salah has had roughly 12 central or left-sided shots in the Premier League this season. Virtually all of his output as come directly from the right flank.

Against Galatasaray? He had five and none of them actually brought a goal. But let’s be fair as one was a penalty and call it four. That’s 1/3rd of his Premier League output matched in one match, simply by moving his starting position closer the middle.

It makes an enormous difference. Salah is someone who thrives on a quantity of chances and Liverpool found a way to make that happen. They involved their star and he looked like a star again.

Now, Salah clearly has a few issues with his confidence right now as he still isn’t finishing chances like we know he can. That confidence will return, though, if Liverpool keep him involved like this. There’s no question about that.

Arne Slot's big win

Arne Slot deserves credit for this. Okay, we wish the change had come months ago but he should get applause for doing it all - it's a brave move but one that paid dividends.

Slot doesn't like moving away from the system he's planned on throughout his entire time at Liverpool. A brief flirtation with a diamond was a subtle change, but he's always moved back to the 4-2-3-1.

In what was arguably the biggest one-off game of his Liverpool career, though, Slot decided to back his players and change the system to suit their strengths. It paid off, providing one of the best performances of his entire spell in charge.

Long may it continue, too, as Salah isn't the only one who will benefit. This may be what saves Liverpool's season.

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