Graeme Souness says the Egyptian winger has shown a lack of appetite this term
Pundit Graeme Souness says Liverpool have been lining up with Mohamed Salah’s brother this season, rather than the player the Premier League has known since 2017.
Liverpool’s 3-0 defeat to Nottingham Forest on Saturday turned the heat on several senior players. Salah in particular has faced the deepest scrutiny. The 33-year-old has visibly struggled in front of goal and has been criticised for his lack of defensive contribution in Arne Slot’s system.
Souness said he first noticed the change in Salah’s game during August’s Community Shield match against Crystal Palace, which Liverpool lost.
“There was a ball, he could easily have gone there,” Souness said on talkSPORT. “He’s not going to win it, he’s not a big strong aerial type, but at least he goes and makes life a little bit difficult for the full-back. He made no attempt to make that challenge.”
The former Liverpool captain said the moment was the “first warning sign” for him that Salah was losing the edge that has defined his game.
“He’s been an absolute superstar,” Souness said. “If you’re picking an all-time Liverpool eleven, he’s one of the first names on the team sheet. I think it’s his brother that’s turned up this season.”
Salah has dominated the Premier League since he joined from Roma in 2017, winning four Golden Boots and two league titles. Last season he produced 57 goal contributions across all competitions as Liverpool won the title in Arne Slot’s debut season. It is no surprise that their slump into the bottom half has come during his worst spell so far in a Liverpool shirt.
“He’s never been the bravest but he’s shown a lack of appetite,” said Souness. “Hard words sometimes are the kindest words. He needs hard words that get him back to being the superstar he’s been, but this season he has not turned up.”
