On a sun-drenched afternoon at Wembley, Liverpool’s hopes of kicking off the 2025-26 season with silverware were shattered in a dramatic 3-2 penalty shootout loss to Crystal Palace in the FA Community Shield. Despite twice taking the lead through new signings Hugo Ekitike and Jeremie Frimpong, the Reds faltered, culminating in a 2-2 draw that led to a heartbreaking shootout defeat. While the match showcased moments of brilliance from Liverpool’s revamped squad, the post-match narrative has been dominated by one player: Mohamed Salah. In a fiery outburst across social media, Liverpool fans have branded the Egyptian star as “clearly the worst on the pitch,” zeroing in on his lackluster performance and a critical penalty miss that sealed their fate.

From the opening whistle, it was evident that Salah, Liverpool’s talismanic forward and a perennial Ballon d’Or contender, was off his game. The 33-year-old, known for his clinical finishing and electric pace, appeared disconnected, struggling to influence proceedings in a match that demanded his usual heroics. Social media platforms, particularly X, erupted with frustration as fans vented their disappointment. “He was visibly the worst person on our team today,” one supporter posted. Another fumed, “What the hell happened to him? He definitely needs replacing this season!” The sentiment was echoed across countless threads, with fans pointing to Salah’s lack of impact as a glaring anomaly in an otherwise competitive Liverpool side.

The stats paint a grim picture of Salah’s day at Wembley. He recorded zero goals, zero assists, and just one shot on target, a far cry from his usual output. His dribbling, typically a weapon, was ineffective, with zero successful take-ons and a dismal 0/6 duels won. Salah lost possession 12 times and completed only 13 of 20 passes, a lackluster showing for a player of his caliber. The defining moment, however, came in the penalty shootout. With Liverpool’s hopes hanging in the balance, Salah stepped up for the opening spot-kick and sent it soaring over the bar, a miss that set the tone for further failures by Alexis Mac Allister and Harvey Elliott. Crystal Palace goalkeeper Dean Henderson’s heroics, coupled with Justin Devenny’s decisive penalty, handed the Eagles their first-ever Community Shield title.

Salah’s penalty miss was more than a momentary lapse; it was a momentum killer that drained Liverpool’s morale at a critical juncture. Fans described it as a “crushing weight,” with one X post lamenting, “Salah’s pen was shocking—absolutely no excuse for a player of his experience.” While Liverpool’s new signings—Ekitike, Frimpong, Florian Wirtz, and Milos Kerkez—showed promise, Salah’s lack of rhythm stood in stark contrast. Wirtz, in particular, dazzled with an assist and constant creativity, earning a 9/10 rating from Daily Mail’s Aadam Patel, while Salah limped to a 6.5, described as having a “relatively quiet afternoon.” The disconnect was palpable, with Salah failing to link up effectively with Wirtz or capitalize on Liverpool’s attacking surges.

The backlash has sparked broader questions about Salah’s role in Arne Slot’s Liverpool. The Reds’ manager, now facing his second Wembley defeat, has been tasked with blending a new-look squad that includes £260 million worth of summer signings. While Ekitike’s early goal and Frimpong’s audacious cross-cum-shot highlighted Liverpool’s attacking potential, defensive frailties and Salah’s off-day exposed vulnerabilities. Fans are now openly debating whether the Egyptian, who will turn 34 in 2026, is showing signs of decline. “He looked like the odd one out,” one supporter tweeted, echoing a growing narrative that Salah’s best days may be behind him. Whispers of squad changes, tactical reboots, or even a reassessment of Liverpool’s transfer strategy are gaining traction.

For Slot, the Community Shield loss serves as a wake-up call. Liverpool’s pre-season had already raised concerns about defensive balance, with AC Milan exploiting counter-attacks in a 4-2 rout in Hong Kong. The Palace match underscored similar issues, with Ismaila Sarr’s pace and Jean-Philippe Mateta’s physicality troubling Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate. Salah’s inability to provide the attacking spark needed to kill the game off has only amplified calls for action. Some fans are urging Slot to pursue Newcastle’s Alexander Isak, whose reported desire to join Liverpool has added fuel to the transfer rumor mill. Others believe a tactical shift, perhaps giving more minutes to young winger Rio Ngumoha, could inject fresh energy into the squad.

The fallout from Salah’s performance has also reignited debates about his legacy. A Liverpool icon with over 200 Premier League goals, Salah has long been the team’s clutch performer. Yet, his Community Shield showing—capped by a penalty miss described as “unforgivable” by some—has led to accusations of complacency. “He’s not untouchable anymore,” one fan posted, while another suggested, “If this doesn’t spark a reaction from Slot, fans might lose faith fast.” With the Premier League season looming, Liverpool cannot afford for their star man to remain out of sync.

As Crystal Palace celebrates a historic triumph, Liverpool are left licking their wounds. Salah, once the untouchable “Egyptian King,” now faces scrutiny like never before. Whether this was a one-off blip or a sign of deeper issues remains to be seen, but the pressure is on for both player and manager to respond. For now, the Wembley disaster has cast a long shadow over Anfield, and Salah’s role as the scapegoat is a stark reminder of football’s unforgiving nature.