Mohamed Salah faces a new challenge this season after struggling in the Community Shield, with Paul Merson raising concerns about his partnership with Jeremie Frimpong.
Liverpool have been cautioned about the potential decline in Mohamed Salah‘s performances this season, following a lackluster display in the Community Shield defeat to Crystal Palace. While Salah’s remarkable 47 Premier League goal contributions last season helped Liverpool lift the title, former Arsenal star Paul Merson has raised concerns about how the Egyptian winger will adapt to changes in the Reds’ squad.
Merson’s Warnings on Salah’s Adaptation
During the Community Shield, Salah struggled to make an impact in the loss to Crystal Palace, leading Merson to highlight a potential issue for the forward this season.
That was a bit of a worrying performance from Salah, Merson commented on Sky Sports. I don’t think I’ve seen a player play that badly before in a football match.
However, Merson acknowledged that Salah is known for his inconsistency, often going through quiet spells before hitting a hot streak.
He can go missing for a few weeks before scoring in ten matches on the trot, Merson added.
The Impact of Jeremie Frimpong
The former Arsenal man believes Salah could face additional challenges this season due to the change at right-back, with Trent Alexander-Arnold leaving for Real Madrid and being replaced by Jeremie Frimpong. Merson pointed out the stark contrast in playing styles between Frimpong and Alexander-Arnold, which could affect Salah‘s usual partnership with the right-back.
“Frimpong is more like an attacking winger,” Merson explained. “That could be difficult for Salah to adjust to, especially compared to playing alongside someone like Alexander-Arnold who was more involved in creating overlapping runs and linking up play.”
Merson went on to say that Liverpool’s right-hand side could become a “major problem” this season if they fail to adapt to the new dynamics between Frimpong and Salah.
Looking Ahead: Liverpool’s Title Defence
Despite the concerns, Liverpool were still able to secure a Premier League title last season, with their overall form remaining strong. However, Merson’s assessment suggests that Liverpool may face difficulties in replicating their previous success unless they find a way to adapt to these changes.
Salah will be eager to put his underwhelming performance at Wembley behind him when Liverpool kick off their Premier League title defence against Bournemouth at Anfield on Friday. With the pressure mounting, Salah will be hoping for an immediate return to form and to silence critics who are questioning his ability to continue his dominance on the right flank.
