In the fast-paced, ever-evolving world of football, reputations can change overnight. Legends rise and fall, and even the most celebrated names are not immune to scrutiny. That reality hit home this week as former Liverpool defender and Sky Sports pundit Jamie Carragher made a bold and controversial claim: Mohamed Salah, the talismanic forward who has carried Liverpool’s attack for years, should no longer be considered an automatic starter for Jürgen Klopp’s side.
Carragher’s remarks have sparked a firestorm of debate among fans, pundits, and former players. Is Salah—Liverpool’s modern-day icon—really in decline, or is this simply a case of temporary fatigue and tactical evolution? To answer that question, it’s worth revisiting Salah’s remarkable journey, his current struggles, and the reasons why a once-unthinkable statement is now being discussed in serious football circles.
From Hero to Headline The Evolution of Mohamed Salah
Since his arrival at Anfield in the summer of 2017, Mohamed Salah has been nothing short of phenomenal. Signed from AS Roma for what was then considered a bargain fee of £36.9 million, Salah quickly established himself as one of the Premier League’s most devastating forwards.
In his debut season, he broke records left and right—scoring 44 goals in all competitions and setting a new Premier League record with 32 goals in a 38-game season. His combination of speed, precision, and relentless work ethic made him a nightmare for defenders and an instant fan favorite.
Under Jürgen Klopp, Salah formed a deadly attacking trio with Sadio Mané and Roberto Firmino. The three were the heartbeat of Liverpool’s resurgence, propelling the club to the UEFA Champions League title in 2019 and the long-awaited Premier League crown in 2020.
For years, Salah’s name was synonymous with excellence. His consistency, availability, and knack for scoring in crucial games made him indispensable. He became Liverpool’s main man, the first name on the team sheet.
But as Carragher and others have now pointed out, times may be changing.
Carragher’s Criticism The Turning Point in the Salah Debate
Speaking during his post-match analysis after Liverpool’s 1–1 draw against Brentford, Carragher’s tone was firm yet thoughtful. The former Liverpool vice-captain said:
“For years, Salah has been Liverpool’s go-to player, the one who delivers when it matters most. But right now, he doesn’t look the same. You can’t keep picking players based on past performances. Liverpool have options now—Darwin Núñez, Luis Díaz, Diogo Jota—and Salah needs to earn his place like everyone else.”
It was a statement that carried weight not just because of Carragher’s status as a Liverpool legend, but also because it voiced what many had been quietly thinking. Salah’s recent performances have raised eyebrows. He remains productive in flashes, but his overall influence appears diminished.
In Liverpool’s recent run of games, Salah has struggled to impose himself. He’s been less explosive, his dribbling less incisive, and his finishing less clinical. Where he once terrified full-backs, he now seems easier to contain.
Carragher’s assertion, then, isn’t simply a reaction to one poor performance—it’s a broader observation about Salah’s evolving role in a team that is itself undergoing transition.
The Statistical Decline Numbers Tell a Story
While it’s easy to accuse pundits of sensationalism, statistics offer a more objective lens. Over the past two seasons, Salah’s output has noticeably dipped.
- 2017–18: 44 goals, 14 assists in all competitions
- 2018–19: 27 goals, 13 assists
- 2019–20: 23 goals, 12 assists
- 2020–21: 31 goals, 6 assists
- 2021–22: 31 goals, 16 assists
- 2022–23: 30 goals, 15 assists
- 2023–24 (so far): 9 goals, 4 assists (in 20 appearances)
The numbers still look strong at first glance—particularly for a winger—but context matters. Salah’s influence on matches has waned, especially against top-tier opposition. He’s registering fewer touches in the box, attempting fewer dribbles, and taking fewer shots per game compared to his peak years.
Moreover, Salah’s pressing intensity—once a hallmark of Klopp’s system—has declined. At 32 years old, he’s naturally lost some of the explosive pace that made him so devastating in transition.
Changing Dynamics Liverpool’s New-Look Attack
Part of Salah’s perceived decline is also tied to how Liverpool’s system has evolved. The post-Mané era has seen Klopp experiment with new attacking combinations, introducing the likes of Darwin Núñez, Luis Díaz, and Cody Gakpo.
Unlike the symmetrical balance provided by the old Firmino-Mané-Salah trio, the current setup is more fluid but less predictable. Núñez’s directness, Díaz’s dribbling, and Gakpo’s link-up play have given Klopp multiple tactical options. However, these same dynamics have forced Salah to adapt his role—often dropping deeper or drifting centrally rather than staying wide and cutting in onto his left foot.
In other words, Salah isn’t necessarily “worse”—he’s just playing differently. But this new role hasn’t always suited him. His connection with Trent Alexander-Arnold remains strong, but the chemistry that once flowed naturally now feels strained.
Carragher’s argument, therefore, isn’t merely about form—it’s about fit. In a Liverpool team that’s reinventing itself, is Salah still the perfect piece of the puzzle?
The Leadership Question
Another aspect of Carragher’s critique touched on Salah’s leadership—or perceived lack thereof.
“When Liverpool are chasing a game,” Carragher noted, “you want your big players to step up, to grab the match by the scruff of the neck. Salah used to do that all the time. But recently, he looks frustrated, isolated, and at times disinterested. That’s a concern.”
Leadership isn’t just about shouting or waving arms—it’s about influence. In the past, Salah inspired teammates through his relentless drive and goal-scoring aura. Now, as he struggles for consistency, that aura has dimmed slightly.
This has opened the door for others—like Dominik Szoboszlai and Alexis Mac Allister—to take on greater responsibility. And while that’s healthy for the team’s long-term growth, it does beg the question: can Liverpool truly evolve while still building their system around Salah?
Supporters React Divided Opinions
Unsurprisingly, Carragher’s comments have polarized the Liverpool faithful. Some fans agree that Salah, while still world-class, should be rotated more frequently to keep competition fierce.
A fan comment on social media summed up this sentiment:
“Salah’s been a legend for us, but no player should be untouchable. Klopp has to make tough calls if we want to stay competitive.”
Others, however, view Carragher’s criticism as unfair. They argue that Salah remains Liverpool’s most reliable attacking outlet and that his track record earns him patience.
As one supporter put it:
“People forget how much Salah has done for this club. He’s still producing goals and assists even when not at his best. That says everything about his class.”
The division reflects a broader truth about football fandom: loyalty and pragmatism rarely align perfectly.
Klopp’s Perspective Faith and Flexibility
Jürgen Klopp has always defended his players fiercely, and Salah is no exception. When asked about Carragher’s comments during a press conference, Klopp responded with characteristic calm:
“Mo is one of the best professionals I’ve ever worked with. He always wants to improve. Every player has ups and downs, but Mo’s consistency over the years is unbelievable. He remains a key part of what we do.”
Still, even Klopp’s words carried nuance. The German coach hinted that rotation is now part of Liverpool’s reality, suggesting that no player—Salah included—is guaranteed a start in every match.
“We have many attacking options, and that’s good. We need freshness, we need energy. Players will play based on form and what the game demands.”
That balance—between respect for a legend and commitment to progress—will define how Salah’s situation evolves.
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