Jamie Carragher didn’t mince words after Liverpool’s 4-1 loss to PSV in the Champions League, questioning the performance of Mohamed Salah.
The result marked Liverpool’s ninth loss in their last 12 matches across all competitions, the club’s worst run since the 1953-54 season, when they were relegated. And while manager Arne Slot has come under growing pressure, Jamie Carragher believes the players must shoulder more of the blame.
Speaking on CBS Sports, the former Liverpool defender voiced concern over the dip in form of some of the team’s key figures.
“Liverpool’s not a sacking club,” Carragher said. “Liverpool are different from almost every club in European football, the manager is the king, the manager gets time.
I have always been in the camp that you stick with the manager. I’m angry with the players, if I’m totally honest. But it does get to a stage for any manager at a club where it’s untenable. It can’t go on any longer. I’m not quite there yet, but I know others are.
Carragher also pointed to the trio that transformed Liverpool’s fortunes under Jurgen Klopp. Discussing Alisson Becker, Virgil van Dijk, and Mohamed Salah, he noted all three are now either injured or underperforming.
The catalyst for Liverpool at the very start of the run in 2018 with Jurgen Klopp was Alisson, Van Dijk and Salah. Alisson’s injured a lot now, he doesn’t play so much. But you watch Van Dijk now, not the same player. And Mo Salah looks like his legs have gone.
Salah, 33, has endured a sharp decline in numbers compared to his remarkable 2024/25 campaign, where he led Europe with 57 goal involvements. This season, he’s managed just five goals and three assists so far. His statistical averages are all career lows since joining Liverpool.
Carragher, however, wasn’t just critical of Salah on the pitch.
I’ve been critical of Salah off the pitch. I want him to come out and do an interview and speak to the Liverpool supporters about what the players are going to do.
A year ago, Mo Salah didn’t hesitate to come out and talk about his situation, about the fact that the club didn’t offer him a contract.
I only hear Salah speak when he gets the ‘player of the match’ award or when he needs a new contract.
I would like to see Mo Salah come out as one of the leaders, one of the legends of Liverpool, come out and talk about the team. It doesn’t always have to be the captain.
Still, Carragher acknowledged the contributions Salah and others have made, even as he suggested their best days may be behind them.
I don’t like criticising them on the pitch because they’re absolute legends for what they’ve done, and their legs have just gone.
With Liverpool’s core ageing and the team’s form in freefall, Jamie Carragher warned that the current crisis may be a glimpse into the club’s post-Salah and post-Van Dijk future.
I look at some of the others, step up. Can you only play well when they play well? When they carry you?
In terms of the players and the way they’re performing, it’s not acceptable for Liverpool. This is maybe a snapshot of the future of Liverpool when Mo Salah moves on, Van Dijk moves on and Alisson moves on.