Jamie Carragher believes Mohamed Salah should no longer be a guaranteed starter, urging head coach Arne Slot to rethink the Egyptian’s role.
Salah, 33, has now gone seven out of eight Premier League games without a non-penalty goal, his longest such run since joining the Reds in 2017. Additionally, the forward was largely anonymous in Sunday’s 2–1 defeat to Manchester United, missing two clear chances.
Speaking on The Gary Neville Podcast, former Reds defender Jamie Carragher called for a more pragmatic approach to managing Salah’s minutes.
“I think we’re at that stage now where Mo Salah shouldn’t be a guaranteed starter every week,” Carragher said. “This is a real conundrum for the manager going forward.”
Carragher also insisted Salah’s current form doesn’t warrant the same automatic starting spot as players like Virgil van Dijk.
“I don’t think Salah should be the first name on the team sheet anymore. Especially in away games, like Frankfurt and Brentford coming up. I wouldn’t start him in both.”
Carragher suggested Salah remains a threat at Anfield, where Liverpool tend to dominate possession. However, echoing Wayne Rooney’s criticism, he questioned the forward’s defensive contribution and consistency.
“At home, around the box, he’s still dangerous. But away from home, where you need work rate and support for your full-back, I don’t think he offers that right now.”
Would he accept it? Probably not. But at a certain age, especially when you’re not playing well, you have to understand that. What’s the argument? He’s not scoring.
Carragher also weighed in on Liverpool’s long-term strategy. He pointed to recent high-profile signings, Alexander Isak and Florian Wirtz, as the players the club should now be building around.
They’ve spent the money. The age profile makes sense. Salah can’t be the central figure forever.
Jeremie Frimpong, who replaced Salah late on against United, made an instant impact down the right flank.
Frimpong came on and offered pace, width, and helped out defensively. These are the things that have to start entering the manager’s thinking. Especially in away games.
Notably, Salah signed a two-year contract extension last season. But the longer he fails to deliver results, the more he faces mounting scrutiny as Liverpool begin to transition toward a younger attacking core.