Liverpool head coach Arne Slot has been told to drop Mohamed Salah after a tricky run of form for the Egyptian winger, who struggled again vs Galatasaray this week
17:39, 11 Mar 2026
Mohamed Salah during Galatasaray 1-0 Liverpool.
Mohamed Salah during Galatasaray 1-0 Liverpool.(Image: Yagiz Gurtug/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
Liverpool legend Steve Nicol has called for Mohamed Salah to be dropped again after a series of uninspiring performances, though he wasn't too pleased the last time Arne Slot took him out of the firing line.
Salah was dropped a few months ago and reacted by accusing Liverpool of throwing him under the bus. Across the course of the season as a whole, he has only scored seven times in the Premier League and the Champions League.
And after Liverpool lost 1-0 to Galatasaray on Tuesday, the Reds' attack came under fire for underperforming again, leaving Arne Slot's side with work to do at Anfield next midweek.
READ MORE: Virgil van Dijk hits out at 'crazy' Liverpool VAR controversy vs GalatasarayREAD MORE: Liverpool player ratings, winners and losers vs Galatasaray as Mohamed Salah and 5 more struggle
"As much as we’re talking about Florian Wirtz, I mean you can say the same thing about Salah," Nicol said on ESPN.
"He does absolutely nothing for the team. He needs to get dropped again. Does he just say right, Jeremie Frimpong is starting, or Rio Ngumoha starting, and Salah you’re sitting? It actually is that stage where anything really would be better."
"Would you rather have Cody Gakpo in?" fellow pundit Craig Burley asked. "At least he’ll get some. At least he’s powerful. At least he’s physical. At least he’ll run back.
ISTANBUL, TURKEY - MARCH 10: Mohamed Salah of Liverpool FC looks on during the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 Round of 16 First Leg match between Galatasaray SK and Liverpool FC at Ali Sami Yen Spor Kompleksi on March 10, 2026 in Istanbul, Turkey. (Photo by BSR Agency/Getty Images)
Mohamed Salah struggled to get into the game during Liverpool's Champions League loss at Galatasaray (Image: BSR Agency/Getty Images)
"I don’t really care what you got on the bench. Mo Salah has to take his second trip to the subs bench. In terms of not starting, because he’s doing absolutely... well, he’s not doing a lot."
Liverpool's forwards made a number of poor decisions in the final third against Galatasaray and Salah was far from the only culprit. Wirtz and Hugo Ekitike missed some big chances.
"I wouldn't say frustration but that's a situation we are facing and I'm responsible for that," Slot insisted in his post-match press conference.
Get LFC's 2025/26 season home and away kits
This article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. Learn more
Content Image
From $100
LFC.com
See the deal
Liverpool's home and away strips for the 2025/26 season are the first in their new partnership with adidas.
Fans can order jerseys in the US at Fanatics.com or via the LFC Online Store in both the US and across the world.
"I'm facing already large parts of this season with getting the ball to the final third, getting them towards moments where you think you can get more.
Article continues below
"But today we've created enough to score a goal. And, of course, we scored one but that one was overturned by the VAR."
Liverpool.com says: Salah has really struggled in recent weeks and he isn't the only one. Liverpool needs more pace in attack and he and Gakpo are simply unable to offer it.
Next season, there might be a role for him in the squad. As a starter, though, it feels unlikely as things stand. He isn't offering enough to make it a guarantee.