Liverpool's main man has struggled for goals and assists this season and was criticised for not trying to provide an assist for Florian Wirtz in the closing stages of the win in Frankfurt
LONDON, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 04: Mohamed Salah of Liverpool during the Premier League match between Chelsea and Liverpool at Stamford Bridge on October 04, 2025 in London, England. (Photo by Robin Jones/Getty Images)
Mo Salah has been criticised for his goalless cameo against Eintracht Frankfurt
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One of the problems with social media and radio phone-ins is that you can never be sure if someone is telling the truth when announcing which club he or she supports. We have all heard something like the following.
“On the line, we have Mike, who is an Arsenal fan and thinks Mikel Arteta should be sacked.” The chances are it is probably Bill, a Spurs supporter who has had a pint.
“On the line we have Sheila, West Ham through and through, who reckons her club has the best owners in the Premier League.” That could well be Karen, a Millwall follower who is bored.
And so to the airwaves and social media channels on Wednesday night after Mohamed Salah had chosen not to try and assist Florian Wirtz. There was a lot of talk about the Footballer of the Year.
“He’s selfish, always has been - Arne Slot should keep him on the bench.” Let’s give them the generous benefit of the doubt and accept these characters are actually genuine Liverpool supporters.
Of course Salah is selfish. And in other news, the Pope is taking mass on Sunday.
Great goalscorers are selfish. Legend has it that one of the reasons Alan Shearer chose Newcastle United over Manchester United is that Alex Ferguson told him he would not be on penalties.
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - AUGUST 15: Arne Slot manager / head coach of Liverpool hugs Mohamed Salah of Liverpool at full time during the Premier League match between Liverpool and Bournemouth at Anfield on August 15, 2025 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA/Getty Images)
Arne Slot will have to decide whether or not to recall Mo Salah to Liverpool's starting line-up for the game at Brentford
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Salah has not scored a club goal in over a month and is getting a lot of criticism from pundits and fans, of whatever persuasion. Liverpool were 5-1 up and in the meaningless stage of the game against Eintracht Frankfurt. Salah was one-on-one with the keeper, albeit at an angle.
Of course he went for goal rather than square it to Wirtz. If it had been 1-1 with the clock ticking into added time, he would have provided the assist. That’s the type of player Salah is.
That is why he had 23 assists to go with his 34 goals for Liverpool last season. As a general rule, he chooses the right option.
Mo Salah speaks to Florian Wirtz
Mo Salah and Florian Wirtz have not fully hit it off for Liverpool after the German's big-money move
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On one occasion against Manchester United, that was probably not the case but it is a rarity Salah gets it wrong. What the last couple of months represents for Salah is a dip in form, nothing more, nothing less.
And for a footballer who has played in an average of over FIFTY club matches per season since 2017, he is allowed a dip in form. Salah will not like being rested but was, presumably, aware of Liverpool’s summer spending plans when he signed a new contract back in April.
Presumably, he was aware Arne Slot would have more different attacking options for the 2025-26 season. At the age of 33, Salah should not be too upset to be rotated for a game against a strictly mediocre European opponent.
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 17: Mohamed Salah and Alexander Isak of Liverpool during the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Phase MD1 match between Liverpool FC and Atletico de Madrid at Anfield on September 17, 2025 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Visionhaus/Getty Images)
An injury to Alexander Isak could mean Mo Salah is more likely to start Liverpool's next game
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But he should be upset if he is left out of the starting line-up at Brentford this weekend, not least because he normally scores against them. As it happens, a couple of injuries - to Alexander Isak and Jeremie Frimpong - increases the chances of Salah starting. A front three of Salah, Hugo Ekitike and Cody Gakpo looks nicely balanced.
But regardless, Salah will come good. Was he selfish at that moment in Frankfurt? Too right he was.
Did he have the hump that he had to sit on the bench for so long? Almost certainly. But that is part of what makes Mo Salah a modern-day great.
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