Graeme Souness shares his thoughts on Mohamed Salah’s Liverpool comments | OneFootball

Souness delivers stark Salah assessment as Liverpool navigate delicate title picture

Liverpool’s handling of Mohamed Salah has rarely been far from the spotlight, but recent remarks from Graeme Souness have sharpened the focus at a pivotal point in the season. Speaking with the candour that has long defined his punditry, Souness offered an unsparing view of Salah’s situation while framing it within Liverpool’s broader Premier League ambitions under Arne Slot.

The comments arrive, in an exclusive by Matt Addison, against a backdrop of tension and transition. Salah’s public frustration earlier in the campaign, coupled with his subsequent omission and rotation, has prompted debate about authority, hierarchy and standards inside the dressing room. For Souness, the issues are neither new nor uniquely modern. Instead, they speak to enduring truths about elite football clubs and the balance between individual brilliance and collective discipline.

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Souness perspective on Salah standards

Souness’ verdict on Salah was delivered without hedging. While acknowledging the forward’s extraordinary output over seven seasons, he argued that Liverpool have long accommodated aspects of Salah’s game that others would not be afforded. That trade-off, Souness suggested, only holds when the goals and assists flow freely.

In periods where output dips, scrutiny inevitably increases. From Souness’ standpoint, defensive contribution and intensity without the ball become non-negotiable when a team is struggling for control. His argument was not that Salah lacks quality, but that reputation cannot insulate any player from accountability when form declines.

The former Liverpool captain drew clear parallels with past Anfield greats, recalling eras when even the most revered figures were rotated or left out without public complaint. The message was unmistakable: Liverpool, as an institution, precedes any individual. In that sense, Souness positioned himself firmly behind Slot’s authority, framing recent decisions as pragmatic rather than punitive.

Liverpool squad management under Slot

Slot’s approach has been to reduce volatility during an inconsistent run. Liverpool have conceded too freely at times, and the emphasis has shifted towards becoming harder to play against. Within that context, selection calls involving Salah have been portrayed internally as tactical, not personal.

Those close to the club point out that Slot inherited a squad used to a different rhythm and structure. Adjustments were always expected. Managing Salah, given his stature and contract, was never going to be straightforward, but Liverpool’s hierarchy appear aligned on one principle: no guarantees exist beyond performance.

Souness’ remarks echoed that internal stance. He questioned the notion of “promises” beyond contractual terms, stressing that starting places are earned weekly. For Liverpool, this represents an attempt to reset standards while maintaining competitiveness across multiple fronts.

Title race realities for Liverpool

Despite the noise surrounding Salah, Souness remains adamant that Liverpool are not out of the title race. The points gap to Arsenal is significant, but not insurmountable given the volume of fixtures still to be played. His assessment was notably analytical rather than emotional.

Arsenal’s dominance of possession, he argued, has not always translated into chance creation, while Manchester City’s attacking output remains heavily reliant on Erling Haaland. Any disruption there could recalibrate the landscape quickly. For Liverpool, the equation is simpler: consistency and defensive solidity must improve immediately.

The Anfield factor also looms large. Souness highlighted the crowd’s capacity to shift momentum, particularly in home fixtures against mid-table opponents. If Liverpool can string together wins while rivals falter, the narrative could change swiftly.

Salah return and selection implications

When Salah returns from international duty, the dynamics will be telling. Liverpool have experimented with alternative attacking combinations, and competition for places has intensified. Should those systems continue to function, Salah may find reintegration less automatic than in previous seasons.

That scenario aligns with Souness’ central thesis. Status alone will not dictate selection. For Liverpool, this is less about marginalising a star and more about reinforcing a collective ethos at a time when margins are thin.

Ultimately, Souness’ intervention has cut through sentimentality. His assessment of Salah may be uncomfortable for some, but it reflects a broader truth about Liverpool’s current phase: success will depend on clarity of leadership, consistency of standards and a willingness to make difficult decisions in pursuit of the title.