Is it time for Liverpool to move on from Mohamed Salah? British press turns on Egyptian star after Man City defeat

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·10. November 2025

Is it time for Liverpool to move on from Mohamed Salah? British press turns on Egyptian star after Man City defeat

Mohamed Salah faces harsh spotlight after Liverpool’s 3-0 collapse at the Etihad

Is it time for Liverpool to move on from Mohamed Salah? British press turns on Egyptian star after Man City defeat

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Liverpool’s 3-0 defeat to Manchester City at the Etihad on Saturday reignited fierce debate surrounding Mohamed Salah’s form & future.

The Egyptian star completed the full 90 minute but failed to make his trademark impact as the Reds crumbled to heavy loss in round 11 of Premier League.

It was performance that reopened old wounds. Once untouchable Salah found himself under mounting scrutiny this season for his inconsistent displays and declining influence in key matches.

"Liverpool should have let Salah go" – The Independent

In scathing column for The Independent, senior football correspondent Miguel Delaney argued that Liverpool may have missed their moment to part ways with the 33 year old forward.

"There was one man Liverpool should have studied closely in their quest to retain the Premier League title – Sir Alex Ferguson" wrote Delaney. "He knew better than anyone that such success demands difficult decisions. Another poor performance from Mohamed Salah must be viewed in that light"

Delaney added that the time had come "three week ago" for Arne Slot to consider dropping Salah but that the club’s mistake went deeper:

"They should have let him leave in the summer. This isn’t attack on player who until recently, had fair claim to being the best in the world but Liverpool’s failure to evolve has a price".

In my free Monday newsletter today: whether Liverpool made the unFerguson and unBoot Room sentimental decision in not letting Salah go Also: - a re-energised Guardiola - Andrews' fine work - questions of Howe - Arsenal positive and negative Sign up here:
– Montag, 10. November 2025

Age, adaptation and the Ferguson comparison

The article drew parallels between Liverpool’s hesitation over Salah & Ferguson’s ruthless decision to sell Ruud van Nistelrooy in 2006 — a move that paved the way for three consecutive league title at Man United.

"Perhaps Liverpool were too sentimental" Delaney wrote. "Ferguson and even Bob Paisley before him knew when to move on from legends. Salah’s continued presence forces Slot to build two system — one with him and one for what comes next , slowing down Liverpool’s transition"..

Transfer impact

The piece also highlighted the impact Salah’s style has had on the team’s fluidity particularly in light of Liverpool’s record breaking summer spending spree that brought in Florian Wirtz & Alexander Isak.

"Liverpool spent over £400 million on new attack but cannot play as envisioned because their dominant figure still dictates the system" Delaney noted. "This complicated Slot’s task and inadvertently increased the pressure on Wirtz & Isak to deliver"..

From financial perspective renewing Salah’s contract was described as "business move" to preserve his resale value rather than footballing one.

"Liverpool may yet profit from future sale but it could come at the cost of entire wasted season".

📸 Despite not getting much of the ball, Mohamed Salah remains as the best playmaker in the Premier League
– Montag, 10. November 2025

The fading aura of Liverpool’s talisman

While Delaney acknowledged that Salah retains the talent to silence his critics and that modern forwards often thrive into their late 30 , he warned that the warning signs of decline are undeniable.

"Every poor spell now triggers deeper questions about whether he can still reach his old level. The issue's no longer just form but whether Liverpool’s evolution has been delayed because they couldn’t imagine life without him"..