Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher has called for drastic action to be taken by Arne Slot with Mohamed Salah, following another poor performance.
The Reds suffered a fourth defeat in a row on Sunday afternoon, and this was the worst of the lot, as they lost 2-1 at home to Manchester United.
The champions’ Premier League title defence is looking weak currently, with so many players out of form, not least Mohamed Salah, who endured a torrid afternoon.
The 33-year-old missed one huge chance in the second half, while his general use of the ball was erratic throughout, causing much frustration.
Speaking on Sky Sports after the game [via The Liverpool Echo], Carragher said it is time for Salah to be dropped, calling for him to be left out of the trips to Eintracht Frankfurt and Brentford this week:
“I don’t think Salah should be like a Virgil van Dijk where it’s like ‘first name on the teamsheet’. 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.
“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. 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.”
Does Slot need to axe Salah this week?
It is almost hard to watch Salah at the moment, with the Egyptian a shadow of his former self, snatching at chances and generally looking easier to defend against than in the past.
It was damning that he was taken off by Slot when Liverpool were 2-1 down, and Jeremie Frimpong arguably did more in the few minutes he was on the pitch than his teammate did all game.
There is no need to go overboard about Salah, with the Reds legend simply in a bad form, but at 33, it is only natural to wonder if he has simply peaked.
It would be just like him to find top gear again at some point, but for now, Slot should consider dropping him for Wednesday’s Champions League clash with Frankfurt.
