Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher has questioned Mohamed Salah’s place in Liverpool’s starting XI for away matches, suggesting the Egyptian star should no longer be an automatic pick given his recent dip in form. His comments come after another frustrating outing for Salah in Liverpool’s 2-1 home loss to Manchester United—a defeat that marked the club’s fourth consecutive setback across all competitions.
Carragher Questions Salah’s Undroppable Status
Speaking on Sky Sports after Sunday’s defeat at Anfield, Carragher highlighted Salah’s ongoing struggles in front of goal. The 33-year-old winger, who recently signed a two-year contract extension, has now gone seven games without scoring from open play.
“Liverpool have two tough away games coming up—against Frankfurt in the Champions League and then Brentford in the league. I don’t think Salah should start both,” said Carragher. “At Anfield, he should always start because the team dominates, and he finds himself in goal-scoring areas. But on the road, especially when defensive work is key, his current form doesn’t justify a guaranteed start.”
A Dip in Form That Can’t Be Ignored
Once the spearhead of Liverpool’s attack, Salah has looked far from his best this season. After a record-breaking campaign last year, expectations were high, but the veteran forward has yet to replicate that impact. His glaring miss against Manchester United on Sunday only further emphasized his struggles in the final third.
Liverpool’s poor run includes losses to Crystal Palace, Chelsea, and Galatasaray—results that have raised questions about the squad’s structure and direction under new manager Arne Slot.
Carragher Urges Focus on New Signings
Carragher believes that the club’s recent investments should now shape its future lineup. Liverpool spent heavily in the summer transfer window—reportedly around £446 million ($600 million)—and Carragher insists the likes of Alexander Isak and Florian Wirtz must be central to Slot’s plans moving forward.
“It has to be Isak and Wirtz,” Carragher said. “The club spent big on them, and with their age and potential, they should be the ones the team is built around, rather than continuing to rely on Salah.”
Liverpool Still in the Race—but Work to Do
Despite the recent setbacks, Liverpool remain fourth in the Premier League table with 15 points from eight matches, trailing league leaders Arsenal by four points. However, Carragher’s remarks reflect growing concerns among fans and pundits about the team’s inconsistency and over-reliance on aging stars.
Whether Salah regains his form or makes way for fresher legs, it’s clear Liverpool are entering a transition period—and tough decisions lie ahead for Arne Slot.
