Liverpool's dominant win over West Ham did little to lessen the pressure on Mo Salah
Liverpool's French striker #22 Hugo Ekitike (R) taps hands with Liverpool's Egyptian striker #11 Mohamed Salah as he comes off of the bench to play during the English Premier League football match between Liverpool and Brighton and Hove Albion
Hugo Ekitike and Mo Salah are having contrasting seasons(Image: AFP via Getty Images)
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Liverpool may have turned a corner in their league form but the struggles of Mohamed Salah continue to roll on. The Reds earned a mammoth 5-2 victory against West Ham United on Saturday to mark their third straight Premier League win - the first time they've gone on such a streak since December.
It was also the first time they've scored five goals in a league game since clinching the title last season when beating Tottenham Hotspur 5-1 at Anfield. While it wasn't a seamless performance from Arne Slot's men, it was a valuable three points that strengthened their case for Champions League qualification.
The likes of Hugo Ekitike and Cody Gakpo returned to the scoresheet, but the lengthy drought in front of goal for Liverpool's Egyptian King has yet to be broken. It was another dismal performance for Salah, who has so far scored 25 goals less than he did in the entirety of last season's league campaign.
Ekitike admission
Ekitike is certainly not resting on his laurels. Becoming the first Liverpool player since Luis Suarez to score 11 league goals in their first full season at the club isn't enough to satisfy the silky Frenchman.
The 23-year-old scored once and assisted twice in Saturday's victory but increasing his tally to 16 goals and six assists across all competitions is not good enough, according to the striker himself.
Liverpool's Hugo Ekitike rues a missed chance during the Premier League match at Anfield
Hugo Ekitike is not satisfied with his numbers(Image: PA)
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Speaking to LFCTV, Ekitike admitted: "To be honest, I could score more. I’m not that happy. But it’s not even goals, it’s assists as well. Today I think I gave one or two assists, I don’t remember.
"As long as I can help the team and be involved, that’s the most important. I want to win, so personally I’m happy, but I’m looking forward to the upcoming games."
Brutal Salah verdict
Amid Liverpool's struggles this season, the dramatic dip in Salah's form has hamstrung the club's ability to capture the winning mentality they possessed last year. With just four goals and six assists to his name in the Premier League, the 33-year-old looks like a shadow of his former self.
On top of a disappointing showing in the Reds' 5-2 victory over West Ham, Salah's inability to get on the scoresheet marked 10 straight league games with a goal for the Egyptian - the first time the winger has gone that long without scoring for the club.
Mo Salah looks down
Salah has had a difficult season with Liverpool(Image: Getty Images)
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His poor form has led to many questioning whether his time at the top level could be coming to an end, with ex-Liverpool winger Mark Kennedy going as far as brutally branding the 33-year-old "yesterday's man." Speaking on talkSPORT prior to Liverpool's victory, the Irishman said: "I am going to be controversial here.
"When I look at Salah's stats last year, they're absolutely phenomenal. But every time I watch Liverpool, I never liked Salah. I think his ball retention is really, really poor. He gives up a lot of possession, and I've been really vocal when I speak to people about Salah this year.
"I am a Liverpool fan, I am a big fan of Salah, I think he's amazing, but I think he's yesterday's man. I am not surprised by his performances this year because I've actually been saying it for a long time."
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