Mohamed Salah told to leave Liverpool by club legend | OneFootball

Mohamed Salah’s Decline Sparks Debate as Liverpool Face Defining Summer

Liverpool’s season has been placed firmly under the microscope, and few voices carry the weight of Graeme Souness when it comes to judging standards at Anfield. In a candid interview with the Daily Mail, he delivered a stark assessment of Mohamed Salah’s current level, one that will resonate across the Premier League.

Souness said, “What happens, in my opinion and in my experience, is your career happens one of two ways. When you get to that sort of 33-34 age area, it’s either falling off a cliff, or it’s a slow decline. I think Salah is the former.”

It is a bold claim, yet it reflects a growing sense that Liverpool’s talisman is no longer the decisive force he once was. Salah’s influence has defined the club’s success for years, but the numbers now tell a different story. Ten goals and nine assists across all competitions represent a sharp drop compared to previous campaigns, where he consistently delivered elite output.

Souness added, “But he’s never improved. His numbers tell you that. His numbers are way down, and he is the single biggest reason why Liverpool are having an indifferent season.”

That statement may divide opinion, yet it captures a wider truth. Liverpool’s attacking rhythm has faltered, and the absence of a reliable match winner in key moments has been evident.

Numbers Highlight Liverpool Struggles

There is little room for interpretation when comparing Salah’s current output to his historical standards. At this stage last season, he had amassed 44 goal contributions, and 34 the year before. Even his lowest previous returns comfortably surpassed this campaign.

This drop has coincided with a Liverpool side that appears less assured, less clinical, and at times short of ideas. While football remains a collective effort, elite teams often rely on elite individuals to carry them through difficult spells. That responsibility has long fallen on Salah.

Souness said, “He’s been for six, seven years the Liverpool go-to man. He has completely changed games when it wasn’t going their way, and he has scored a ridiculous number of goals every season.”

Photo: IMAGO

The concern now is not only performance but trajectory. Decline, once it begins, rarely reverses at this stage of a player’s career. Liverpool’s recruitment strategy and long term planning may soon need to reflect that reality.

Transfer Decision Could Define Next Era

Perhaps the most striking element of the interview was Souness’s view on Salah’s future. Despite the forward being under contract until 2027, his recommendation was clear.

Souness said, “His best is behind him now, there’s no doubt about that.”

That leads to an uncomfortable question for Liverpool decision makers. Do they remain loyal to a modern club legend, or do they act decisively to evolve the squad?

The timing is significant. Liverpool have reached the Champions League quarter finals after overcoming Galatasaray, yet even that achievement came with caveats.

Souness said, “I thought Galatasaray were exceptionally poor. I expected so much more from them. They didn’t believe they could get a result.”

Progress in Europe offers encouragement, but it does not mask the broader inconsistency. Liverpool are no longer the dominant force they were, and their ability to compete for major honours is being tested.

Title Race, Arsenal Rise and Chelsea Concerns

Beyond Anfield, Souness cast his eye over the wider Premier League landscape. His backing of Arsenal as title favourites reflects their growing authority.

Souness said, “I think Arsenal will win the league.”

He continued, “No, but they’re a pragmatic team. They know how to win football matches, and it’s not everyone’s cup of tea.”

Photo: IMAGO

That pragmatism has become a defining feature of Arsenal’s success. While their style may not appeal to everyone, their efficiency has delivered results.

However, Souness reserved strong criticism for their set piece approach and coaching methods.

He said, “Arsenal get away with a hell of a lot by crowding goalkeepers and blocking goalkeepers.”

He added, “I just think we’ve got daft referees. We’ve got poor referees who don’t really understand the game.”

Such comments highlight ongoing debates around officiating and tactical innovation, particularly in set piece situations.

Chelsea also came under scrutiny, with Souness questioning both structure and leadership.

He said, “Chelsea are – I don’t know what they are.”

And on their manager, “I think the manager (Rosenior) tries too hard with his terminology. Giving players ‘assignments’. If the manager said that to me, I’d have laughed at him in his face.”

Liverpool Future Hinges on Key Calls

This interview, originally conducted by the Daily Mail, offers more than headline grabbing opinions. It provides a snapshot of a club at a crossroads.

Liverpool must decide how to handle the natural cycle of a squad that has delivered sustained success. Salah’s situation encapsulates that challenge. Loyalty, legacy, and performance must all be weighed carefully.

Souness’s views may feel blunt, yet they echo a broader conversation within football. When a defining player begins to fade, the decisions made in response often shape the next chapter.

For Liverpool, that chapter is approaching quickly.