Liverpool have been told Mohamed Salah’s lack of defensive responsibilities may be a factor in the team’s struggles this season, with the Reds currently eighth in the Premier League table
Liverpool have been warned that Mohamed Salah’s reduced defensive duties could be contributing to their disappointing campaign. The Merseyside club currently sit eighth in the Premier League standings and have already been knocked out of the Carabao Cup.
The Egyptian forward has netted just five times for Liverpool this season, with four of those strikes coming in the top flight. Last term, Salah scored 34 goals across all competitions as the Reds clinched their 20th league championship.
Arne Slot’s squad have already suffered five Premier League defeats this campaign – surpassing their entire tally from last season’s title-winning run. Liverpool trail league leaders Arsenal by eight points following their loss to Manchester City prior to the international break.
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Ex-Liverpool midfielder Danny Murphy referenced remarks Salah made last season that might explain one factor behind the side’s current struggles. “There’s a reason Mo Salah last season, when asked about the difference of playing under Slot he said, ‘He tells me to defend less,’ with a big smile on his face,” said Murphy during an appearance on talkSPORT.
“Which is fine when you’re scoring and winning games, but at the moment it’s costing them.” Murphy’s assessment related to observations Salah shared near the conclusion of last season, highlighting the contrast between playing under Slot versus Jurgen Klopp.
“You can see the numbers,” Salah told Sky Sports back in April after Liverpool had been confirmed as Premier League champions. “Now I don’t have to defend much. The tactics are quite different.
“I said, ‘As long as you rest me defensively I will provide offensively’, so I am glad that I did. He [Slot] listened a lot and you can see the numbers.
“When you play in the Premier League you have to defend but I said that I can gamble and somehow I can make a difference. My number of assists shows that, you can create chances as well.”
Liverpool need their Egyptian superstar back on form following their 3-0 hammering by title rivals Manchester City before the international break. The Reds return to action when they welcome Nottingham Forest on November 22 (3pm).
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