Liverpool Star Compared to Lionel Messi by Former Premier League Forward | OneFootball

Liverpool Debate Sparked as Gabby Agbonlahor Compares Mo Salah Work Rate to Lionel Messi

Liverpool have already seen plenty of drama this season, but few topics are stirring discussion quite like Mo Salah’s form. After scoring 29 Premier League goals last campaign, the Egyptian has just two in his first seven league appearances this time around. A subdued performance in the 2-1 defeat to Chelsea did little to silence doubts, with several squandered chances leaving fans frustrated.

Gabby Agbonlahor, never one to hold back when analysing Liverpool on talkSPORT, offered a blunt assessment after watching Salah struggle at Stamford Bridge. While acknowledging the winger’s enduring importance, he argued that certain aspects of Salah’s game are beginning to resemble Lionel Messi in his later years, particularly off the ball.

Defensive Effort Under Scrutiny

Agbonlahor said: “The defensive part is right (about the criticism towards Salah) because the number of times Cucurella is going forward and it’s two-v-one on Conor Bradley and Salah sort of tries to press a little bit then just stops and relaxes like we have seen [Lionel] Messi do time and time again over his career.

“Liverpool can’t afford to be a man down defensively. You can tell when Mo Salah is not at it because defenders are starting to [say]: ‘Go on try and run me’. Cucurella and [Benoit] Badiashile were getting really tight to him and said: ‘Go on try to run me on the outside’ and whenever he did, they took the ball off him.

“Cucurella had him in his pocket the whole 96 minutes.”

Photo: IMAGO

It was a withering observation, yet Agbonlahor was clear that criticism comes with context rather than condemnation. The former Aston Villa striker pointed out that even when off colour, Salah still provides moments of class.

Quality Still Evident in Flashes

“In the first half, with the outside of the boot and Isak puts it over the bar. If he scores that, you’re going: ‘Wow, Mo Salah’. He’s still got the levels of quality he has shown over his career.”

Agbonlahor highlighted that Liverpool lack a natural replacement if they did want to rotate Salah. “Frimpong can play on the right of midfield but he’s not been at it this season so you can see why he’s stayed on in games and can get you that goal. It feels harsh ever criticising him.”

Arne Slot’s Balancing Act

With Arne Slot now tasked with defending Liverpool’s Premier League title, he must decide how much freedom Salah can be allowed. Agbonlahor believes Slot will demand more without the ball. “Arne Slot has probably got to look at it and say: ‘You’ve got to do your defensive responsibilities’.”

Yet even with the scrutiny, Agbonlahor finished with faith rather than fear. “We’re still early in the season. I’m sure Mo Salah is his biggest critic and knows he could have done better… I’m sure he will come good.”

Liverpool supporters will hope that prediction lands sooner rather than later. If Salah finds his rhythm again, the conversation will quickly switch from Messi-style walking to Messi-style winning.