Steve McManaman has made some claims about Mohamed Salah that aren’t going to land with some Liverpool fans.
After reaching the semi-finals with Egypt at AFCON earlier this month, Liverpool’s star of last season returned to Anfield.
Given the unrest that was causing stirs at Liverpool before he went to Morocco, his return was even more anticipated.
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And to be honest, Salah has struggled in recent games. McManaman, though, has a different view.
Mohamed Salah shakes Arne Slot's hand after being substituted during Liverpool's Premier League match against Newcastle at Anfield.
Photo by Paul ELLIS / AFP via Getty Images
Steve McManaman says Liverpool are better with Mo Salah
Before a ball was kicked on Saturday, McManaman came out in support of Salah.
He feels as though the Egyptian’s reintroduction to the side is only a good thing.
As he told TNT Sports: “I think he gives Liverpool balance. Whether he has a good game or a bad game is a talking point afterwards, but when he was at AFCON, Liverpool really missed him, they were very lopsided.
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Mohamed Salah scores a free-kick during Liverpool's UEFA Champions League match against Qarabag at Anfield (Credit: Getty Images/Ed Sykes/Sportsphoto/Allstar).
Photo Credit: Getty Images/Ed Sykes/Sportsphoto/Allstar
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“He wants to play on the left, so when he plays and when he scores and when he stars in the game, Liverpool are a much, much better side when he’s in it than when he’s not. So I think relationships are fine and I think hopefully we’ll see the best out of him now for the rest of the season.”
If you were to ask the average Liverpool fan on the street — if there is such a thing — they would probably say Salah has disappointed.
Salah hasn’t made Liverpool better lately
Especially after Salah’s lacklustre display against Newcastle, McManaman’s claim is hard to believe.
We all know how good he is on his day, but it hasn’t been his day for quite some time.
The free-kick against Qarabag was a reminder of the quality Salah possesses, but those kinds of moments have come too seldom this season.
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Salah is one of the big questions around Liverpool right now. He will be 34 next season and perhaps finally past his best.
It might be time to cash in.
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