Mo Salah tipped to hit landmark goal tally this season despite early struggles | OneFootball

Liverpool Debate Continues Over Mohamed Salah’s Goal Output

Slow Start Sparks Familiar Questions

Liverpool are facing a familiar discussion surrounding Mohamed Salah, but this time the scrutiny is sharper due to his slower start to the current campaign. Last season delivered the finest individual return of his Liverpool career, with 57 goal contributions across all competitions alongside a Premier League title, a Golden Boot and the Playmaker award. Despite all that, he still finished fourth in the Ballon d’Or voting behind winner Ousmane Dembele.

This season, the rhythm has been different. His numbers have dipped and so has the overall fluency of Liverpool’s forward line. Some pundits have been quick to attribute it to Salah’s age or the impact of losing Trent Alexander-Arnold’s overlapping delivery. However, it is unfair to isolate Salah when Liverpool collectively have not yet rediscovered their usual cohesion.

Photo: IMAGO

Darren Bent Stands Firm in Support

Former Aston Villa forward Darren Bent has stepped in to defend Salah’s pedigree, reminding critics of his consistency across several campaigns. Speaking to talkSPORT, he said: “Messi and Ronaldo, and this is the kind of barometer that people use it. These guys were for 15 years, 10 to 15 years, hitting ridiculous numbers. But we are now talking about one of the two of the greatest players in the history of football. Now, Salah, some people might put him in there. I say he’s one of the greatest players in the history of the Premier League and that’s not even an argument.”

Bent went on to detail Salah’s remarkable record from his first season at Liverpool. “44, 27, 23, 31, 31, 30, 25, and 34 last year,” he said, pointing out the remarkable consistency. Despite acknowledging Salah is now 33, Bent remains confident. “I still expect him come end of the season to end with over 30 in all comps… because that’s just what he can do. He can do that.”

It is a fair reminder that elite forwards are measured over seasons, not weeks. Salah has rarely allowed a campaign to pass without a defining contribution.

Defensive Issues Complicating Judgement

One of Salah’s quieter outings came in the Chelsea clash, where he struggled to impose himself. Marc Cucurella later revealed that the London club had been instructed to focus on Liverpool’s right-hand side due to Salah’s style of play. Darren Bent, however, pushed back on that idea.

“I’m looking at Liverpool’s team that started against Chelsea, and he’s saying that we attack their right-hand side, but I’m looking more at the Conor Bradley, Konate, rather than the Salah tracking back part,” Bent explained. “Because let’s be honest, the right fullback area for Liverpool has been a problem. Both of them, both sides, right? But also, Konate this season has been so inconsistent.”

Photo IMAGO

Bent argued that most teams would naturally avoid Virgil van Dijk’s side and instead test younger or inconsistent defenders. In other words, Salah was not the tactical target, the defence was.

Goals Will Come With Rhythm

Salah remains Liverpool’s most reliable source of goals and there is little evidence to suggest that will change. Even in quieter patches, he still produces moments that turn games. He is judged against historic greats because he operates in that company. The current conversation is less about decline and more about timing.

As the fixtures intensify, particularly with Manchester United on the horizon, Liverpool will look to their most trusted finisher. If Darren Bent is right, the 30-goal mark remains well within reach.