Mohamed Salah has not found the net in his last six matches for Liverpool - but Arne Slot is not worried about the form of his the Egypt international
Paul Merson.
Paul Merson doesn't believe Mo Salah is a guaranteed starter for Liverpool(Image: YouTube/Sky Sports Premier League)
View 2 Images
Paul Merson believes Arne Slot has a 'big decision' to make over Mohamed Salah. Following a sensational campaign last season, where the forward scored 34 goals and registered 23 assists, questions have begun to surface over the winger’s drop in performance levels this term.
The 33-year-old has found the net just twice in Liverpool’s opening eight Premier League matches, also adding two assists. Liverpool ended their four-game losing streak with an emphatic 5-1 win over Frankfurt in the Champions League earlier this week, but Salah was limited to just 16 minutes off the bench.
With competition for attacking spots now fierce at Anfield, Merson believes Slot faces a defining call ahead of their clash with Brentford.
He told Sports Keeda: "The million dollar question heading into this weekend is, ‘Will Mo Salah play?’ He didn’t start against Frankfurt, and Liverpool won. But this is a must-win game; if Liverpool lose, they could be seven points behind Arsenal.
"I called this a long time ago, didn’t I? I said that within six months of him signing that contract, we could be sat here thinking, ‘why would they give him that deal when they knew he would be on the decline?’
"I know what Salah did last year, but that’s in the past. Look at what Florian Wirtz did last season — that isn’t enough for him to be in the Liverpool XI now, right?
Mohamed Salah and Liverpool boss Arne Slot
Mohamed Salah and Liverpool boss Arne Slot
View 2 Images
"Slot will have to make a big decision this weekend. Salah looks nowhere near the player we’ve known all these years."
Liverpool’s last visit to the Gtech Community Stadium was a memorable one, with two stoppage-time goals from Darwin Nunez securing a vital victory for the Reds.
That sense of urgency remains, with Slot’s side still seeking their first Premier League win since a 2-1 Merseyside Derby triumph over Everton in mid-September.
Brentford, however, will be no easy test. The Bees have shown they can rise to tough occasions this season, beating Aston Villa and Manchester United, while rescuing a point against Chelsea with a late equaliser.
Liverpool have won each of their last five meetings with Brentford, but Slot will be fully aware that history counts for little as his side chase a much-needed return to form.
Content Image
Content Image
For the latest news and breaking news, visit liverpoolecho.co.uk/all-about/liverpool-fc. Get all the big headlines, pictures, analysis, opinion and video on the stories that matter to you.
Follow us on Twitter @LivEchoLFC - the official Liverpool ECHO LFC Twitter account - for all the latest LFC news as it happens in real time.
We're also on Facebook/LiverpoolEchoLFC - your must-see LFC news, features, videos and pictures throughout the day from the Liverpool ECHO.
Listen to our podcasts by searching for 'Blood Red' wherever you get your podcasts.
Sign up for one of the Liverpool Echo's free daily and weekly newsletters on Liverpool FC by clicking here.