Rio Ferdinand and Peter Crouch have suggested that Mohamed Salah looks “lost” when he plays in a central role for Liverpool.
The Egyptian - like the vast majority of his teammates - has not enjoyed the best start to the 2022/23 campaign. He has 10 goals in 17 appearances although three of those strikes came in the Reds’ 7-1 Champions League thumping of Rangers alone.
His most recent outing before a goal-scoring display against Ajax was arguably his most disappointing of the campaign thus far as Jurgen Klopp ’s men were downed 1-0 by newly-promoted Nottingham Forest at the City Ground - leaving them languishing in eighth in the Premier League standings.
Many have attempted to find a reason behind Liverpool’s current malaise. Some have argued that Salah’s inconsistency is a cause of the Reds’ drop-off, whilst others have suggested that Klopp’s tactics alone could be the root.
It appears that both former Manchester United defender Ferdinand and ex-Liverpool forward Crouch believe the former, with the pair calling for more from the Egyptian forward.
Speaking to BT Sport, Ferdinand said: “The big thing is the experience coming back into the team. You looked at the midfield at the weekend and there wasn’t that experience, and I am sure they will be able to navigate this game a little bit easier.
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“When you look at the front three, in the final third you need that decision making in the final third and it didn’t happen against Forest, and I am sure today that the manager will have been working on that in the build-up to this game [vs Ajax].”
In the meantime, whilst recognising that Salah needs to get back to top form sooner rather than later, Crouch has argued that his current position in the team might be limiting him more than first perceived.
The 41-year-old said: “I prefer Salah playing out wide as well, through the middle he is a little bit lost at times, out wide he is more dynamic. He makes players' minds up and then they play the passes into those dangerous areas.
“If you highlight the positioning of Salah, look at his movement. When he is central, he is not as dynamic as he is out wide when he can make players’ minds up. Some of the movement, you have to make players make the pass and into your feet, or in behind.”
Having scored just three Premier League goals so far this season, it goes without saying that Salah will be attempting to improve that record this weekend as the Reds come up against struggling Leeds United at Anfield.
He has racked up a stunning record against Jesse Marsch’s men having netted on six occasions in just four career appearances.
