Souness Criticises Salah’s Declining Form: “He Looks Unrecognisable”

Liverpool legend Graeme Souness has sharply criticised Mohamed Salah’s current form, saying the forward appears “unrecognisable” as Liverpool continue to struggle this season.

The Reds’ crisis deepened with a 3–0 home defeat to Nottingham Forest — their eighth loss in 11 matches across all competitions and their third three-goal defeat in five games. This downturn has come despite a £446 million summer spending spree that brought in Florian Wirtz, Alexander Isak and Hugo Ekitike, yet Arne Slot’s team has failed to come close to last season’s title-winning standards.

Salah has been among the notable underperformers. After delivering an extraordinary 57 goal contributions in 52 games during the 2024/25 campaign, the 33-year-old has managed just five goals in 17 appearances this season. Opponents have also increasingly targeted what they view as defensive weaknesses on his flank.

Speaking on talkSPORT, Souness did not mince words.

“How long have we got?” he said. “He’s been an absolute superstar. He’s been the go-to man for the last seven years. If you’re picking an all-time Liverpool eleven, he’s one of the first names on the teamsheet. I think it’s his brother that’s turned up this season.”

Souness said he first noticed signs of decline during the Community Shield defeat to Crystal Palace in August, referencing one moment where Salah failed to challenge for a ball down the touchline.

“He’s not going to win it — he’s not big or strong in the air — but at least make life difficult,” he explained. “He made no attempt to make that challenge.”

While noting that Salah has never been known for physical duels, Souness said the lack of effort was especially concerning.

“He’s never been the bravest, never going to dive into a 50/50, and I wouldn’t want him to because he’s such a genius at the top end. But he’s shown a lack of appetite. Hard words are sometimes the kindest words, and he needs them to get back to being the superstar he has been for Liverpool. This season, he has not turned up.”

Liverpool will hope the Egyptian star can rediscover his form quickly as pressure mounts on both the squad and manager during their ongoing slump.

Opinion Nigeria News