In remarkable statements reflecting the extent of the pressure on top stars, Dutchman Arne Slot, manager of Liverpool, the reigning Premier League champions, believes that his Egyptian star Mohamed Salah is currently paying the price for his continued brilliance over the years, as he is going through the worst goal drought of his Premier League career.

Salah, 33, is going through a difficult period technically, having failed to score for 9 consecutive league matches, an unprecedented negative record in the career of the player who has been accustomed to breaking records since he set foot on Anfield Road in 2017. This worrying statistic prompted coach Slott to defend his player before the upcoming match against West Ham, saying: “Salah has set very high standards for himself, and the moment he doesn’t score in a few matches, people are immediately surprised, and that is actually the greatest compliment a footballer can receive.”.

A rich history and a heavy legacy

The current crisis cannot be separated from the historical context of what the "Egyptian Pharaoh" has offered the Reds. Salah has won the Golden Boot award for the Premier League's top scorer four times, most recently last season when Liverpool won the title. This immense legacy makes any dip in form a hot topic of discussion. Slaught pointed out that fans have become accustomed to Salah's prolific goal-scoring, making the difference in his current performance seem vast, even though goal droughts are a natural part of football, albeit longer than usual this time.

A collective crisis and a financial burden

The Liverpool manager, whose team is in sixth place with 45 points, 16 points behind leaders Arsenal, stressed that the problem is not individual, explaining: “Salah is not the only striker who is not scoring as often as usual. The focus is on him because of his history, but the reality is that Frenchman Ugo Ekieke and Dutchman Cody Gakpo have not scored many goals recently either, and this is a collective issue that we need to improve.”.

On the economic front, which casts a shadow over the outlook, Liverpool announced a return to profitability with a surplus of $20.5 million, boosted by increased broadcasting revenue. However, the club now has the highest wage bill in the Premier League, with staff expenses soaring to £428 million, surpassing Manchester City (£408 million). This substantial increase is attributed to contract renewals for key players such as Salah and captain Virgil van Dijk, in addition to bonuses for winning the title last season.

Huge investments for the future

It's worth noting that the announced financial figures don't include the massive summer spending of £450 million, which included the signing of high-profile names such as Swede Alexander Isak, the record-breaking British transfer fee, German Florian Wirtz, and striker Ekikiye. These signings place additional pressure on the coaching staff and players to deliver immediate results commensurate with the scale of the investment, making a return to winning ways and ending Salah's goal drought a pressing necessity in upcoming matches.

Saudi handball fans will be glued to their screens tomorrow evening, Saturday, as the 16th round of the Saudi Premier Handball League kicks off in the sports halls of Dammam, Jeddah, Zulfi, and Qatif. This round comes at a crucial juncture in the competition, with the title race beginning to take shape and the battle for second place and to avoid relegation intensifying. A large crowd is expected, reflecting the growing popularity of the sport in the Kingdom.

The Gulf and the journey to maintain its position at the top

Al-Khaleej, the league leaders and the hope of Saihat's fans, will kick off the round's matches when they host Al-Adalah at 9:00 PM at the Ministry of Sports Hall in Dammam. Al-Khaleej enters the match with 28 points, aiming to secure the two points needed to move closer to clinching the league title, capitalizing on the significant difference in quality between them and Al-Adalah, who are struggling near the bottom of the table with only 4 points.

Round highlight: The battle for second place in Jeddah

In one of the season's most anticipated matches, all eyes turn to Jeddah, the Bride of the Red Sea, where Al-Ahli (third place with 22 points) hosts Al-Huda (second place with 23 points) at 10:00 PM at the Ministry of Sports Hall. This is a must-win game for both sides; a victory for Al-Huda would put them in a tight race with league leaders Al-Khaleej, while an Al-Ahli win would see them leapfrog Al-Huda into second place and ignite the title race to the very end.

Eastern Derby and the Warm Zone Struggle

The round features a special derby with historical significance between the two giants of Eastern Province handball, Al-Noor and Mudhar, who will meet at 11:00 PM in Dammam. Despite being relatively far from the top of the table this season, matches between the two teams are always fiercely contested and exciting due to their long and storied history. Al-Noor aims to break into the top four, while Mudhar fights to maintain its fourth-place position, which qualifies them for the Elite Championship.

In a related context, Al-Zulfi hosts Al-Fateh, and Al-Safa meets Al-Muheet in crucial matches for the bottom and middle teams, as each team seeks to secure its position and avoid complex relegation calculations.

The importance of the round and the context of the competition

Round 16 holds strategic importance that transcends the mere three points at stake. The Saudi Handball League is currently one of the strongest leagues in the Arab world and Asia, thanks to the significant support provided by the Ministry of Sports to various sports and the clubs' recruitment of high-caliber professionals. Furthermore, the competition extends beyond the title race, encompassing the battle for the top four spots that qualify for the "Elite" championship held at the end of the season, making every match a cup final in itself.

League standings before round 16

• 1) Gulf: 28 points
• 2) Guidance: 23 points
• 3) Al Ahly: 22 points
• 4) Mudar: 18 points
• 5) Al-Nour: 16 points
• 6) Al-Zulfi: 14 points
• 7) Unit: 9 points
• 8) Al-Fateh: 8 points
• 9) Perimeter: 6 points
• 10) Justice: 4 points
• 11) Al-Safa: 2 points

Match schedule (Saturday evening)

• 09:00: Al-Khaleej vs Al-Adalah (Dammam)
• 10:00: Al-Zulfi vs Al-Fateh (Al-Zulfi)
• 10:00: Al-Safa vs Al-Muheet (Qatif)
• 10:00: Al-Ahli vs Al-Huda (Jeddah)
• 11:00: Al-Noor vs Mudar (Dammam)

Hamad Al-Yami, the right-back for Saudi Arabia's Al-Hilal club, sent a message of reassurance to the club's fans before his anticipated trip for delicate surgery following a serious injury he recently sustained. This message reflects the player's desire to connect with his supporters amidst the anxiety that gripped the Al-Hilal fanbase after the nature of his injury was revealed.

Al-Yami appeared in a video circulated on Al-Hilal's official accounts and social media platforms on Friday, appearing in high spirits despite the difficult situation. In his brief but moving message, Al-Yami said, "Thank you for your concern and inquiries. Praise be to God for what He has decreed and ordained, and God willing, I will return stronger." These words underscore the player's determination to overcome this ordeal and return to represent the team in upcoming matches.

Medical examinations conducted by Al-Hilal's medical staff revealed that the player suffered a patellar tendon injury, requiring surgical intervention to ensure a full recovery and prevent recurrence. Consequently, the club's management, in coordination with the medical staff, decided to send the player to Finland next week, a world-renowned destination for orthopedic surgery and sports medicine, to undergo the procedure under the supervision of leading specialist surgeons and with direct oversight from the club's doctor.

Al-Yami's injury is a significant blow to the coach's options, especially considering the player's impressive statistics this season. The 26-year-old has been a key player for the team, making 27 appearances for Al-Hilal across various domestic and continental competitions this season, totaling 1316 minutes of playing time and contributing two assists, highlighting his crucial tactical role on the right flank.

Meanwhile, this news comes as Al-Hilal prepares for a crucial match, facing Al-Shabab away at 10:00 PM this Friday in the 24th round of the Saudi Professional League. This match is of paramount importance in the league race, as Al-Hilal aims to continue accumulating points and move closer to securing the title. However, the absence of key players presents an additional challenge for the coaching staff, who will have to find suitable replacements for Al-Yami in the coming period.

This injury highlights the immense pressure of matches faced by Saudi clubs competing on multiple fronts, which increases the physical strain on players and raises the likelihood of muscle and tendon injuries. The decision to seek treatment in Finland demonstrates the professionalism of Al-Hilal's medical staff and their commitment to providing the best possible healthcare for their players, ensuring their swift return to the pitch in peak physical condition.