Leeds United manager Daniel Farke has predicted an 'unbelievable' season for Mohamed Salah despite his recent dip in form. The comments come ahead of Saturday's Premier League clash between Leeds and Liverpool at Elland Road. Farke also praised Liverpool's defenders Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate as 'outstanding'.
Leeds United manager Daniel Farke spoke ahead of his side's Premier League match against Liverpool on Saturday, December 6, 2025, at 17:30 GMT. Farke highlighted Mohamed Salah's current struggles but expressed confidence in the Liverpool forward's recovery.
Salah, who won the Premier League golden boot with 29 goals in the 2024/25 season, has managed only four goals in the top flight this term, matching teammate Cody Gakpo's tally. Across all competitions, he has five goals in 18 appearances and was dropped for Liverpool's recent 2-0 away win at West Ham United, where he remained an unused substitute.
"The more games he has without a goal or assist, the more likely it is that he will score or assist," Farke said, describing Salah's run as 'difficult'. He added: "I’m pretty sure he will be there, at the end of the season, with many goals. He’s still there – he’s the best scorer in the league for them – so I have no doubt he will deliver unbelievable things this season. He has done that for all of his career."
Farke drew parallels to Erling Haaland's past dry spells, noting the scrutiny on forwards. He also backed Liverpool's centre-backs Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate amid their side's inconsistent form. Liverpool, champions in 2024/25 under Arne Slot, have failed to win 10 of their last 14 matches across all competitions, including a 1-1 home draw against Sunderland where Nordi Mukiele's 81st-minute own goal salvaged a point.
Leeds, meanwhile, boosted their survival hopes with a 3-1 victory over Chelsea on Wednesday, goals coming from Jaka Bijol, Ao Tanaka and Dominic Calvert-Lewin. The win moved them three points clear of the relegation zone after losing six of their previous seven games.
Farke praised his team's versatility in attack against Chelsea: "We have proven we can score more or less out of each and every situation: set-pieces, counter-attacks, out of possession, by creating through the centre and the wings."
On the defensive duo, Farke said: "They are outstanding, world-class defenders... I have no doubt that we will face top centre-backs – they have proven it over many years, and this season I have also seen them in many games: against Real Madrid [a 1-0 Champions League home victory] it was a clean-sheet win, against West Ham it was a clean-sheet win."