Key Highlights
- Graeme Souness criticizes Mohamed Salah for “not turning up” during Liverpool’s recent struggles.
- Liverpool’s Premier League standings have worsened with a 3-0 defeat to Nottingham Forest.
- Souness argues that the players, particularly Salah, need to step up despite manager Arne Slot’s efforts.
- Salah has struggled for goals this season compared to his previous performances.
Liverpool in Turmoil: Souness Slams Salah Amid Struggles
The ongoing Premier League crisis at Liverpool FC continues, with the club finding itself in a challenging position after a recent 3-0 defeat against Nottingham Forest. The result has pushed the team down to 12th place, 11 points behind leaders Arsenal—a stark contrast from their previous form.
Manager’s Response vs. Souness’ Criticism
Liverpool manager Arne Slot has accepted responsibility for the current downturn in form, insisting that he is doing everything within his power to turn things around. However, former Liverpool legend Graeme Souness has a different perspective, targeting Mohamed Salah specifically as part of the team’s issues.
Salah’s Decline in Form
“My blame would be on the players right now,” Souness stated on talkSPORT. “He (Slot) will be using the same words, the same tactics, training the same way, resting them the same way, the travel is the same. He’s doing all that, and he’ll be scratching his head and staying awake at night.” Souness emphasized that Salah needs to step up his game.
When questioned about whether Salah should increase his output on the pitch, Souness replied: “Oh Christ! How long have we got? ‘He’s been an absolute superstar.
This is the nicest thing I can say about Salah: he’s been the go-to man for the last seven years. If you’re picking an all-time Liverpool XI, he’s one of the first names on the team sheet.’ But I think it’s his brother who has turned up this season.” Souness highlighted a specific incident during the Community Shield, where Salah failed to make an attempt to challenge a Crystal Palace left-back despite being in position.
“He had his back to the sideline, and a ball is played up towards the Crystal Palace left-back. He’s not going to win it; he’s not the most physical type, but he could at least go and try and make life difficult for the full-back. He made no attempt to make that challenge,” Souness elaborated.
Salah’s Season in Review
Mohamed Salah has managed just five goals and three assists in 17 appearances this season, a far cry from his title-winning campaign of 2024-25 where he scored 34 goals and provided 23 assists across 52 matches. Souness’s comments come at a crucial time for the club as they seek to regain their form and compete for titles once again.
The criticism from Souness highlights the pressure on Salah, who has been Liverpool’s primary goal-scorer for years, to step up his game in a season where he is struggling. With the Premier League standings looking grim for Liverpool, the expectations are high as they look towards turning things around under Arne Slot’s leadership.
