Liverpool icon Jamie Carragher has issued a stark warning to Mohamed Salah, suggesting the Egyptian superstar must rapidly rediscover his best form under new manager Arne Slot or risk seeing his legendary Anfield career reach an premature conclusion.
Concerning Dip in Performance
Carragher expressed significant concerns about Salah's performances since returning from the African Cup of Nations and a subsequent hamstring injury. The former defender turned pundit highlighted a noticeable decline in the 32-year-old's effectiveness, particularly during Liverpool's pre-season tour of the United States.
'He just hasn't been the same player,' Carragher stated bluntly. 'We're seeing a different Mohamed Salah to the one who terrorised Premier League defences for seven spectacular seasons.'
Adapting to Slot's System
The analysis raises serious questions about how Salah will fit into Slot's preferred 4-2-3-1 formation, which differs significantly from Jurgen Klopp's celebrated 4-3-3 system that perfectly showcased the winger's talents.
Carragher pointed to specific tactical challenges: 'In this new system, Salah is being asked to play much narrower, almost as a second striker at times. This requires different movements and reduces those explosive wide areas where he's been so devastating.'
Contract Crossroads
With just one year remaining on his current Liverpool contract, the timing of this form dip couldn't be more critical. The situation creates a complex dilemma for the club's hierarchy:
- Should Liverpool offer a lucrative new deal to a 32-year-old showing signs of decline?
- Could this summer represent their last chance to command a substantial transfer fee?
- Is Salah's position under genuine threat from emerging talents like Ben Doak?
Pre-Season Worries
Carragher's concerns were amplified by observing Salah during Liverpool's American tour fixtures, where the Egyptian looked uncharacteristically off the pace and struggled to influence games against both Manchester United and Arsenal.
'The sharpness, the explosiveness - it just wasn't there,' Carragher noted. 'When you've built your game around those lightning movements and that incredible acceleration, any slight drop makes a huge difference.'
Prove-It Season Ahead
The coming campaign represents arguably the biggest challenge of Salah's Liverpool career. After seven seasons of almost uninterrupted excellence, he now faces the task of convincing a new manager, adapting to a different system, and silencing growing doubts about his longevity at the highest level.
Carragher's message was clear: 'This is a massive season for Mo. He needs to prove he can still be that game-changing force in this new Liverpool setup. If not, we might be looking at the beginning of the end of his time at Anfield.'
All eyes will be on Salah when the Premier League season commences, with the Egyptian King under unprecedented pressure to demonstrate that reports of his decline have been greatly exaggerated.
