It has been a while, but Mohamed Salah was back playing the starring role last week with two goals in Casablanca that sealed Egypt’s place at the 2026 World Cup. The main man stepping on to centre stage yet again. Liverpool need him to stay there.

There are numerous reasons why inconsistent, unconvincing performances have been the common thread running through Liverpool’s start to their title defence, whether they produced seven straight victories or, before Manchester United’s visit to Anfield on Sunday, three consecutive defeats. The upheaval from so many summer changes, Arne Slot’s search for his best XI, Diogo Jota’s death; Salah has felt the effect of them all during his uncharacteristically subdued opening to the campaign.

Sunday’s showpiece occasion could provide the spark for the source of a record 16 goals in 17 appearances for Liverpool against United, who are paying their 100th visit to Anfield and have not won at their fierce rivals for more than nine years. Salah will present Slot with another unforeseen dilemma, however, should he remain lost in the disruption much longer.

Liverpool’s head coach must have recognised the irony of...