Former Liverpool midfielder Graeme Souness has slammed Mohamed Salah for his performances this season. He claimed that the Egyptian forward has shown a 'lack of appetite' this season.
The Reds have struggled this season after winning the Premier League title last time around. They have lost eight of their last 11 games across competitions and sit 12th in the standings. They spent over £450 million on new players, having also parted ways with the likes of Darwin Nunez and Luis Diaz.
Mohamed Salah, meanwhile, has also failed to replicate his form from last season, recording five goals and three assists in 17 games across competitions. Graeme Souness shared his thoughts on the Egyptian winger's performances this season and told talkSPORT:
“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."
Referencing the Merseysiders' penalty shootout defeat against Crystal Palace in the FA Community Shield, Souness added:
“I saw an incident in the Community Shield. I’m looking for little signals. 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."
“He’s never been the bravest. He’s never going to get hurt in a 50/50, and I wouldn’t want him to because he’s such a genius at the top end. But he’s shown a lack of appetite. I’m sorry, but hard words are sometimes the kindest words and I think he needs hard words, and ultimately they’ll get him back to being the superstar that he’s been for Liverpool. This season he has not turned up," he added.
Salah, notably, scored 34 goals and provided 23 assists in 52 games for Arne Slot's side across competitions last season.
Jamie Carragher urges Mohamed Salah to speak up amidst Liverpool's poor performances
The Merseysiders lost 3-0 against Nottingham Forest at Anfield in the Premier League on Saturday, November 22. After the game, club captain Virgil van Dijk came out to speak to the media and expressed his disappointment.
On Monday Night Football on Sky Sports, Jamie Carragher questioned why Mohamed Salah doesn't come out for post-match interviews. He said:
"On the back of all these Liverpool defeats, it's always Van Dijk who comes out and speaks. The captain should do that but there should be other players in that dressing room and speaking for the club.
"A year ago this weekend, Mo Salah wasn't shy in speaking about his own situation and the club not offering him a contract. I only ever hear Salah speak when he gets man of the match or when he needs a new contract. I would like to see Salah as one of the leaders and legends of Liverpool come out and speak for the team."
Salah joined Liverpool from AS Roma in 2017 and has recorded 250 goals and 116 assists in 418 games for them.