Tactx

While it's fair to say Salah has never been the most defensive minded of forward players, he's always picked up positions to support the defensive structure (image below v Everton last season).

This season, he often takes up the HIGHEST position when the opposition has the ball, and his thought process is simple. Find space as close to the opponent's goal as possible

Today against West Ham. He has no thought of tracking Wan Bissaka. He backs his team-mates to win the ball and find him.

Within 4 seconds of the above image, Liverpool have Salah on the ball, in the box, and it leads to the third goal.

And you will see it repeatedly from the beginning of the season. The Liverpool midfield will do his running to ensure he can keep his dangerous transition position. And when he produces the numbers he is, the midfield won't complain.

The lack of structure will cause problems for Liverpool. Robinson of Fulham highlighted this in the recent draw as he repeatedly ran off the back of Salah.

But it's a risk Slot is willing to take. Salah must produce at the other end of the pitch to justify this defensive weakness. The REWARDS far outweigh the risk. Even as Liverpool press with two central players. Salah sees space and edges towards the Spurs goal.

And while the opponent thinks they have secure possession. Salah reads and understands Liverpool's biggest strength, the counter-press. This consistently puts him up against opponent centre-backs rather than full-backs

And once in that position down the side of the centre-backs, his finishing is lethal. While also adding assists for those attacking the back post.