Carragher Urges Slot to Rethink Salah Role

Ex-Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher has argued that Mohamed Salah no longer deserves an automatic place in Liverpool’s first eleven, insisting that his dip in performance should prompt manager Arne Slot to reconsider his team selections.

Salah delivered another lackluster showing in Liverpool’s 2–1 defeat to Manchester United on Sunday, failing to convert two golden opportunities and extending his goalless run from open play to seven Premier League matches — the longest drought of his Anfield career.

During his appearance on The Gary Neville Podcast, as quoted by Sky Sports, Carragher said that Slot now faces a major decision about how best to handle the 33-year-old, who penned a new two-year deal at the close of last season. The former defender said that, despite Salah’s status as a club legend, his current form no longer justifies guaranteed selection.

“I think we’re at that stage now where Mo Salah shouldn’t be a guaranteed starter every week. I do think this is a real conundrum for the manager going forward. I don’t think Salah should be like a Virgil van Dijk, where it’s like ‘first name on the team sheet,’” Carragher stated.

Liverpool’s upcoming fixtures include a Champions League clash against Eintracht Frankfurt and a Premier League trip to Brentford, both away from home. Carragher believes the Egyptian winger should be rested for one of those games.

“He should always start at Anfield because Liverpool will be on top, around the edge of the box, and more often than not, he scores in those situations today. But I do think in the away games and helping your full-back, I don’t think Salah should be starting every game right now, certainly away from home, with the form he’s in,” he continued.

Carragher acknowledged that Salah might not appreciate being benched but stressed that, given his age and struggles in front of goal, it would be difficult for him to contest the decision.

“Would he be OK with that? Probably not. But when you get to a certain age, you have to understand that, especially when you’re not playing well, where’s your argument? It’s different if you’re banging in the goals and your manager makes a tactical decision and you’re frustrated. I don’t think Mo Salah’s in any position to complain if he was left out of one of the next two away games.”

Carragher’s remarks have reignited debate among supporters about Salah’s future role in Arne Slot’s system and whether the Liverpool icon should remain a guaranteed starter as the club moves into a new era.