It has been a turbulent few weeks for Liverpool and Mohamed Salah, with the Egyptian superstar struggling to recapture the form that once made him one of the most feared forwards in world football. The 32-year-old, who spearheaded the Reds’ Premier League triumph in Arne Slot’s debut season, has scored just two goals in his last seven matches, a slump that has coincided with Liverpool losing six of those fixtures and slipping into disarray.
Following the Reds’ latest setback — a 3-0 defeat at Anfield to Nottingham Forest — frustration has grown both within the fanbase and among pundits. Former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher, now a respected analyst on Sky Sports, was particularly vocal in his criticism of Salah, urging the forward to show more leadership and accountability during the club’s ongoing crisis.
Carragher’s latest comments reignited a long-running and occasionally tense relationship between the pair. Back in 2022, the pundit clashed publicly with Salah’s agent, Ramy Abbas Issa, on social media over cryptic posts concerning contract negotiations. Carragher at the time urged Salah to “have a word” with his representative, frustrated by the uncertainty surrounding the player’s future. Carragher slammed the timing, accusing the Egyptian of creating unnecessary distractions and again hinting that his agent’s cryptic messages were fanning controversy. Salah’s response was typically sharp, taking a light-hearted jab at Carragher by claiming the ex-defender “wouldn’t give me Man of the Match anyway.”
Fast-forward to this season, and while Salah’s contract is secure, his performances have come under scrutiny. Carragher insists the winger must step up vocally, noting that Virgil van Dijk has been the only player consistently addressing the media after defeats. “I’d like to see Salah speak up,” Carragher said on Monday Night Football. “He’s one of the club’s legends — one of its leaders. It can’t always be just the captain.”
As Liverpool search for stability and form, fans will be hoping Salah can silence his critics the best way he knows — by finding his scoring touch once again.
