Liverpool: Salah under heavy fire | OneFootball

Liverpool: criticism rains down on Salah

Liverpool: Salah under heavy fire

At Liverpool, criticism is now zeroing in on a specific topic: the negative impact Mohamed Salah is said to have on Florian Wirtz’s integration. While his numbers remain decent—five goals and three assists in sixteen appearances—the Egyptian forward is going through a spell where his influence on the game is seen as lacking. Less incisive, less creative, Salah is struggling to make a real impact on the team, a view shared by several pundits across the Channel. The German media go even further, suggesting that Salah’s presence is hampering the adaptation of the young German international, who arrived for a hefty fee to become one of Liverpool’s new cornerstones.

Wirtz stuck, Liverpool concerned

According to Sport Bild, Salah has become a structural issue for Arne Slot’s side. The outlet claims he doesn’t do enough to highlight the new signings and continues to prioritize established teammates in his playmaking. The criticism is direct: all three of his assists have gone to players who were already at the club in previous seasons. In this setup, Florian Wirtz appears isolated, underused, and unable to fully assume the role he was brought in for—even though Liverpool invested €140 million to make him an attacking leader.

The German press insists on one point: as long as Salah remains at the center of the project, Wirtz cannot truly flourish. Some are even floating the idea of the Egyptian leaving in 2026 to fully open up space for the youngster. For now, Liverpool continues to back their star forward, but they know the Africa Cup of Nations period will be a decisive test: Wirtz will have no more excuses not to take off.