'He wants it so much' - Mohamed Salah's surprise goal drought explained by Liverpool boss Arne Slot as Egyptian's Ballon d'Or dream fades

Salah started off the season as a strong contender to win the Ballon d'Or as he led Liverpool to an early lead in the Premier League title race and also helped them end the Champions League league stage atop the standings. However, the Reds have since been knocked out of Europe and the FA Cup, while they were beaten in the final of the Carabao Cup.

Salah's previous standing as the favourite to win the Ballon d'Or has fallen as Barcelona duo Raphinha and Lamine Yamal, plus Real Madrid's Kylian Mbappe, have all continued to perform deep into the season. Additionally, Salah has failed to score in his last four games and has not scored a goal from open play since February 24. Slot has now explained Salah's goal drought of late.

Speaking to the media, Slot said: "Sometimes the fixture list is more difficult than at other periods. PSG are one of the best teams in Europe at the moment. Newcastle were all over us in the Carabao final and Everton were so difficult with 10 people in their own 18-yard box all the time.

"I know Mo, he lives for goals. It would be weird if he was happy not scoring but probably his biggest quality is he can play a poor game and still score so his head is not all over the place. That is why he scores so many, because he wants it so much. Yes, there were probably periods this season he smiled a bit more but that's not just him, it's all the players."

Salah is still in line to win the Premier League with Liverpool this season, while the Golden Boot is also in sight with the Egyptian only six goals behind Erling Haaland, who has been ruled out for several weeks and may not return before the end of the domestic campaign.