End of an Era? Salah’s Struggles Signal Troubling Times for Liverpool
Mohamed Salah, long seen as Liverpool’s talisman, is facing rare and harsh criticism this season. Graeme Souness delivered the most striking comments yet, claiming Salah has shown a “lack of appetite” and even joked that “his brother turned up this season.” Below you will see information about is news which has been summarized The Football Breakdown.
After eight years of excellence, his early performances in the 2024-25 campaign have raised serious concerns. Souness pointed out that the first warning sign appeared during the Community Shield against Crystal Palace. He described an incident where Salah chose not to challenge a defender something he believes the Egyptian would normally at least attempt.
For Souness, this small moment revealed a larger issue: reduced hunger and urgency in Salah’s game. Liverpool’s struggles have only intensified the spotlight. As Arne Slot’s team drops points and slips down the table, fans and pundits are questioning whether Salah’s decline is a major factor in the club’s poor form.
The Question of Age and Decline
Salah has built one of the greatest Premier League careers ever since joining Liverpool from Roma in 2017. With four Golden Boots and 57 goal contributions last season alone, he has set standards few players can match. His pace, movement, and finishing have been the backbone of Liverpool’s success under Jürgen Klopp and now under Slot.
But at 33, his numbers have dipped sharply. With only four goals in the first 12 league matches, Salah is far below his usual efficiency, raising concerns about whether age is finally catching up to him. Critics also note his reluctance to track back defensively, something opponents have begun exploiting.
This season’s struggles have prompted uncomfortable questions: Is this just a slow start, or the beginning of a long-term decline? For a player who has carried Liverpool for years, even a slight drop looks significant.
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Opponents Spot a Weakness
Chelsea’s Marc Cucurella highlighted a worrying trend after their 2-1 win over Liverpool. He revealed that Chelsea targeted Liverpool’s right side because Salah often stays high, waiting for counterattacks instead of helping defensively. This created space for Chelsea’s wingers and full-backs to exploit throughout the match.
Cucurella explained that their manager specifically instructed them to attack Salah’s flank, knowing he would not track back aggressively. The plan worked, and it exposed a tactical vulnerability in Slot’s system whenever Salah is slow to recover. Opponents now see an opening where once there was none. With Liverpool struggling collectively, Salah’s defensive shortcomings have become a bigger problem than ever before.
Calls for Leadership as Liverpool Falter
Following Liverpool’s crushing 3-0 loss to Nottingham Forest, Jamie Carragher urged Salah to step up off the pitch as well. He noted that Salah rarely speaks publicly unless he wins man of the match or discusses contract matters. Carragher believes a player of Salah’s stature should speak for the team, especially in difficult times.
His comments reflect a growing expectation for Salah to act not just as a scorer, but as a leader. With Liverpool sinking to 12th in the table, the dressing room needs voices willing to take responsibility. Carragher argues that Salah must be one of them.
Liverpool now prepare for a crucial Champions League clash against PSV before facing West Ham in the league. As the pressure builds, all eyes are on Salah both for answers and for signs that the superstar fans once relied on is still there. Follow footballtipsonline.co.uk for weekly deep dives into football’s biggest stories.
