LONDON — Mohamed Salah is Liverpool’s “Egyptian King”, but the forward’s crown has lost a little of its lustre during a disappointing spell in which his work ethic has come under fire.

Salah was below his best again in Liverpool’s damaging 2-1 defeat at Chelsea on Saturday as he wasted several chances and failed to help out in defence.

He has been absent from the scoresheet in five of Liverpool’s seven Premier League games this season and the champions have suffered as a result.

The loss at Stamford Bridge was Liverpool’s third in eight days as Arsenal leapfrogged them to the top of the table.

Salah has scored just three goals and provided three assists in nine appearances in all competitions this season.

Even more alarming than Salah’s statistics, mediocre by his stellar standards, was the sight of the 33-year-old taking little interest when Liverpool were under siege against Chelsea.

Without any protection from the forward, Liverpool right-back Conor Bradley was hauled off at half-time after earning a booking as he struggled to keep Chelsea at bay.

The killer ball for Estevao Willian’s stoppage-time winner came from Salah’s right flank, with Marc Cucurella advancing unchecked to set up the Brazilian’s goal.

Cucurella revealed Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca told them exploit the defensive space vacated by Salah.

“We know that Salah is always ready for the counter-attack so we practised that and the manager said that the space might be there,” he said.

Salah’s lethargic display was in keeping with a major dip in form since the closing stages of last season.

He scored 29 goals in 38 league matches, earning the Premier League Golden Boot as Liverpool powered to a record-equalling 20th English title.

But after scoring twice in a 3-1 win against Southampton in March, Salah’s influence has waned.