Liverpool FC v Qarabag FK - UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Phase MD8 - Source: Getty
Liverpool FC v Qarabag FK - UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Phase MD8 - Source: Getty
Liverpool legend and ESPN pundit Steve Nicol has expressed his concern over Mohamed Salah's declining form following the Reds' 4-1 win over Newcastle United (January 31). Nicol reckons Salah's confidence is 'shot' due to the Egyptian King struggling to get the basics right and no longer looking comfortable on the ball.
Liverpool showed great resilence to come from behind to secure all three points. Hugo Ekitike (41', 43'), Florian Wirtz (67'), and Ibrahima Konate (90+3') were amongst the goals, while Salah provided an impressive assist for Wirtz.
Despite starting and playing 84 minutes, Mohamed Salah had a poor outing as per his usual standards. The 33-year-old only completed 15 passes from an attempted 23 (65 percent accuracy), and landed zero shots on target from two attempts, missing one big chance in the process. He also completed zero dribbles and delivered two accurate crosses from six attempts, per FotMob.
During his analysis, Nicol highlighted one play which confirmed his fears on Salah's decline. Despite being played through on goal, the latter struggled to control the ball well, allowing Kieran Trippier to win a goal kick in the first half. This led to Nicol telling ESPN (via Rousing the Kop):
"We’ve all been asking the same question, how can you go from there to there so quickly. Generally it takes a bit of time when you start losing a bit of pace and your balance and all these things."
"Trippier doesn’t play every week because Trippier’s legs have gone. He’s a guy on the other side of his career. Today Mo Salah had four yards on him. A ball was played through by Szoboszlai, could’ve been a little firmer, that would’ve helped him, but Trippier caught him comfortably."
He added:
"And Salah, actually, at no stage during that little passage looked comfortable on the ball. He doesn’t look comfortable on the ball, he’s got a guy who’s legs we do know have gone catching him after giving him a three-yard start. That’s got to be alarm bells."
He then spoke on Salah's confidence:
"There’s nothing worse for a footballer when you realise you’re losing things and you’re not quite sure why, but it affects every single thing that you do. Now when he’s giving it away it’s just chipping away at his confidence. That confidence looks as though it’s shot because any time he gets into any sort of position where he used to pick the top corner out he can’t get anywhere close anymore."
Salah has had an underwhelming campaign for Liverpool to date, scoring six goals and providing six assists in 24 appearances across all competitions.
"It was a very difficult moment for me and my family" - Ibrahima Konate provides verdict after scoring for Liverpool in 4-1 win over Newcastle
Liverpool centre-back Ibrahima Konate has expressed his happiness after scoring during their 4-1 win over Newcastle United in their Premier League clash. The Frenchman also admitted that he and his family have suffered over the past two weeks after his father tragically passed away.
After the game, Konate told TNT Sports (via Liverpool's official website):
"For sure I'm very happy. I don't have words to describe what I feel right now because it was a very difficult moment for me and my family the last two weeks. But this is part of life. It's very hard to accept but we didn't have a choice to do it."
He added:
"I saw the team, we had some injured players. The manager said to me I can take my time, I don't have to rush back. But with this situation I think it was important for me to come back and help the team. I think this is what I did today with the team, with Anfield. The atmosphere was unbelievable today. This is what we need until the end of the season."
Liverpool are currently fifth in the Premier League table with 39 points from 24 games, one point behind fourth-placed Chelsea. They will next lock horns against Manchester City on February 8.