Pundit calls for the winger to be benched after worrying downturn in form
Jamie Carragher has said Mohamed Salah should no longer be an automatic starter for Liverpool, following his poor performance in the champions’ defeat to Manchester United on Sunday.
Salah endured a frustrating evening, barely involved most of the time and then missing a huge chance as his wait for a non-penalty goal in the Premier League stretched to seven matches.
Carragher argued that the Egyptian forward’s recent form does not justify a guaranteed place in Arne Slot’s lineup.
“I don’t think Salah should be like a Virgil van Dijk where it’s like ‘first name on the teamsheet’,” said Carragher on Sky Sports.
“Liverpool have got two away games – in the Champions League at Frankfurt and then they go to Brentford. I don’t think Salah should start both of those games.
Salah signed a two-year contract extension last summer after his goals fired Liverpool to the Premier League title in Arne Slot’s first season. However, he has underperformed this season, not only being less effective in attack but also becoming a defensive weakness because he doesn’t contribute when his team are without the ball.
“He should always start at Anfield because Liverpool will be on top, around the edge of the box and more often than not he scores in those situations today,” said Carragher.
“But I do think in the away games and helping your full-back, I don’t think Salah should be starting every game right now, certainly away from home, with the form he’s in.”
If Slot were to make that decision, Salah would not have too many arguments given his current form, according to the ex-Liverpool defender.
Carragher said: “Would he be OK with that? Probably not. But when you get to a certain age you have to understand that, especially when you’re not playing well, where’s your argument?
“It’s different if you’re banging in the goals and your manager makes a tactical decision and you’re frustrated. I don’t think Mo Salah’s in any position to complain if he was left out of one of the next two away games.”
