‘Too much criticism’: Pundit defends misfiring Salah, insists he must start against Sunderland | OneFootball

Former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher has defended misfiring forward Mohamed Salah.

Salah has scored just four goals in 12 Premier League appearances this season.

He has offered little defensively, leading to calls from ex-Manchester United star Wayne Rooney that he should be dropped from the starting line-up.

Salah was left out of the team in Liverpool’s 2-0 win at West Ham United, reinforcing suggestions that he should no longer be a guaranteed starter.

However, Carragher has defended Salah, suggesting that Liverpool’s form has impacted him.

He told The Overlap: “I have been critical of Mohamed Salah more off the pitch this season. Actually, on the pitch, I think he has received too much criticism.

“The team is not playing well, so he is not going to be equally as good. He is going into his early 30s, and we are talking about the first season he has ever had where he has not been amazing.

“Even when Liverpool have had poor seasons over the last seven or eight years, Salah still scored 30 goals. It is the first time he has had a poor start to the season.”

Carragher also believes Salah should start when Liverpool host Sunderland in the Premier League on Wednesday evening.

“I think Salah comes back in against Sunderland,” he added

“I have got to think Salah playing away from home is quite sensible in certain away games in Europe – maybe against Inter Milan in the Champions League.

“I would leave him in against Leeds United – maybe you take him out so he does not play every week, but it goes back to the make-up of the squad.

“We have basically got no cover for the wide players. (Cody) Gakpo almost plays every game, and Salah does too because there is no one behind him.”

Manager Arne Slot has confirmed that the Egyptian will leave for the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) on December 15.

Slot now has to contend with how much playing time he gives Salah before he goes, beginning with tomorrow’s clash against Sunderland.