Mohamed Salah's Form Under Scrutiny at Liverpool
Liverpool manager Arne Slot has been given clear advice regarding the struggling Mohamed Salah, with a former Anfield star insisting the Egyptian forward should retain his place in the side despite a significant dip in form this season.
Hutchinson's Verdict: Only AFCON Should Bench Salah
Ex-Liverpool midfielder Don Hutchinson has delivered his verdict, suggesting that Salah should only be removed from the starting lineup when he is away on international duty at the African Cup of Nations. Speaking to TEAMtalk, Hutchinson stated he would be "very tempted to play all three from now to the end of the season and play their way into form, into goals, into chemistry."
He elaborated on the reasoning behind his stance, highlighting the long-term view. "I know it’s a big jump from now to end of season, but that will be Liverpool’s team and individuals going forward. That’s what I would look at," Hutchinson explained. He pinpointed the upcoming AFCON as the potential moment for change, adding, "Perhaps the Africa Cup of Nations would be the time to try it!"
Slot's Confidence and Salah's Current Struggles
The conversation around Salah's form has been ignited by a stark contrast in his goal-scoring record. The 31-year-old has managed just four Premier League goals this campaign, with a total of five goals in 16 appearances across all competitions. This pales in comparison to his phenomenal output last season, where he found the net 34 times.
Despite the visible struggle, manager Arne Slot has previously expressed little concern. Speaking last month, the Dutch coach said, "The main thing is that he always has scored goals for Liverpool. The last thing I worry about is Mo scoring goals again. He's done that his entire life and I expect him to do that again in the upcoming weeks and months."
Salah's difficult period continued during the international break, where he featured in Egypt's 2-0 friendly defeat to Uzbekistan on Friday. His first opportunity to respond for his club will come on Saturday, 16th November 2025, when Liverpool host Nottingham Forest at Anfield.
The Reds themselves are navigating a challenging phase, sitting eighth in the Premier League table after suffering five defeats in their opening 11 games. Their most recent outing was a 3-0 loss to Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium, though their Champions League form has been more promising with three wins from four league stage fixtures.
