John Barnes reacts to Mo Salah’s recent Liverpool form | OneFootball

John Barnes Backs Mohamed Salah Amid Scrutiny

Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah has been under the microscope following a dip in form, yet one of the club’s greatest icons has stepped forward in support. John Barnes, a figure who understands the demands placed on elite attackers, believes Salah remains central to Liverpool’s ambitions under Arne Slot.

Form Debate Surrounding Mohamed Salah

Salah was instrumental in Liverpool’s Premier League triumph last season, securing both the Golden Boot and Playmaker awards with an astounding 47 goal contributions. Such a standard inevitably invites fierce scrutiny when performance levels drop. Three consecutive defeats before the international break saw critics quick to question whether the Egyptian had lost his edge.

A return to international duty offered relief. Salah helped Egypt qualify for the 2026 World Cup with a brace against Djibouti, restoring confidence ahead of his return to Merseyside. Barnes, speaking passionately in defence of the 33-year-old, rejected the idea that Salah’s influence has waned.

Barnes said: “Well, if you look at the way he was when he was on fire and he was playing really well, that’s because everything went through him. Because if you look at the makeup of the team, the person in the team meant that everything was going to be for Mo to score and Mo to be the star player.

“When you talk about Wirtz and like Ekitike, and then you have Isak, then Mo is not going to stand out as much because you have other players who are going to be doing certain things.

Photo: IMAGO

“So Mo is still valuable to the team. He’s still doing as well. I don’t think he’s necessarily going to score as many goals as he did or have that much of an impact, but if you’re going to win the league with Mo scoring less goals, being part of a team that’s fine.

“Because if Mo is going to do what Mo has done in the last three years you’re not going to see Wirtz, you’re not going to see Ekitike, so you kind of all of them you know being the main player so I suppose that’s probably worked a little bit against Mo but he’s still valuable and worth his weight in gold to the team.”

Salah’s Role Under Arne Slot

Barnes’ assessment aligns with Slot’s approach, which places greater emphasis on collective patterns rather than a single talisman. The additions of Florian Wirtz, Hugo Ekitike and Alexander Isak have diversified Liverpool’s attacking routes. Salah may not lead every move, but his presence still shapes defensive attention and creates space for others.

Supporters eager for constant goal-scoring explosions may need to recalibrate expectations. Salah evolving into a facilitator rather than solely a finisher could be the key to sustainable success across a long campaign.

Manchester United Clash Prediction

Attention now turns to Liverpool’s meeting with Manchester United at Anfield, a fixture that rarely lacks drama. Despite acknowledging the unpredictability of Erik ten Hag’s side, Barnes expects his former club to prevail.

He said: “I think Liverpool have had the upper hand, and if Liverpool start well, put them on the back foot, but it’s going to be a dangerous game because Man United have got good players, but as I said, if the unexpected is that which Manchester United is going to turn up.

“I am going for a home win. I don’t go for scores because who would have said 7-0 all those years ago… I think Liverpool would win, I won’t say comfortably, but I think they’ll win.”

Anfield will demand a response and Salah, whether scoring or not, will remain at the heart of it.