Mohamed Salah fired Liverpool to Premier League glory in Arne Slot's first season as manager but one of the Reds' former stars has identified a problem this term
Mohamed Salah during Liverpool's defeat at Manchester City
Mohamed Salah during Liverpool's defeat at Manchester City(Image: CameraSport via Getty Images)
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Former Liverpool star Danny Murphy "can't believe" how easy Arne Slot made things for Manchester City with his use of Mohamed Salah at the Etihad Stadium and called for the manager to make an immediate change. City left-back Nico O'Reilly thrived in the hosts' 3-0 win, with Salah's lack of defensive requirements down the Liverpool right seen as a factor.
Murphy, who played more than 200 times for the Anfield club in a seven-year spell, still considers Salah one of the dangerous attacking players in the league. However, questions remain over manager Slot's use of last season's top scorer.
"Giving Salah the license to not defend against a left-back who loves going forward and isn’t even a left-back in O’Reilly, who has been brilliant recently, I couldn’t believe what I was watching to be honest," Murphy told talkSPORT. "I don’t know how he (Slot) can keep watching the same thing and not change it.
"And it’s not like Salah can’t do the running, he hasn’t asked him to see if he can. He doesn’t have to do it every single time, but he has spent so long not doing it.
"Last season, Salah came out and said he was enjoying it more because he doesn’t have to defend as much as he did with [Jurgen] Klopp. But it’s just time and time again, and I don’t think he needs to be dropped because he’s such a threat, but I think you’ve got to tell him to defend."
Salah's goals last season fired Liverpool to the title but there has been a drop-off from the champions this season. After 11 matches, they sit eighth with 18 points - 10 fewer than at the same stage last season.
Their struggles have been compounded by the fact that new record signing Alexander Isak has yet to hit top gear. The Sweden international is still playing catch-up after not getting a proper pre-season, and has managed just four league appearances without a goal so far.
Arne Slot during Manchester City vs Liverpool
Arne Slot will want a response from his team when they return to Premier League action
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"It's hard to be away and not be able to help and contribute," Isak said after making his latest return from injury in Sweden's World Cup qualifying defeat to Switzerland. Now I'm back and I'm positive.
"There's not much that's easy in football. But with experience you learn to deal with things. That's how it is with injuries and all that. You learn to deal with it and get back on track the right way."
Liverpool will return to action on Saturday against Nottingham Forest, with Isak and Salah potentially both involved. The latter will be well rested on his return, with Egypt allowing him to sit out their international friendly against Cape Verde.
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