Liverpool supporters were left reeling on Sunday after a 2-1 loss to Manchester United at Anfield, marking a troubling run of results for the Reds.
Former defender Jamie Carragher has now sparked debate by suggesting Mohamed Salah may no longer be an automatic starter, signaling a potential shift in Liverpool’s attacking strategy under Arne Slot.
The defeat, Liverpool’s fourth in all competitions and third in the Premier League this season, has seen them slip to third in the table, four points behind leaders Arsenal.
The Anfield faithful witnessed another frustrating chapter in what has become a worrying sequence for Jurgen Klopp’s successor.
Carragher Questions Salah’s Automatic Role
Carragher, speaking on Sky Sports, highlighted that Salah’s influence, once untouchable, might be fading.
“It’s a real conundrum for the manager,” he said. “In years gone by, Mo Salah could have a poor game and still be brought off if he had extra energy.
Now, he shouldn’t be playing every game. He shouldn’t automatically be the first name on the team sheet.”
Carragher suggested a more selective approach could help Liverpool manage Salah across the season, particularly with busy fixtures looming, including European and domestic away matches.
“It should be: yes, he’s in your best team for home games, but you need to think about rotation for the busy weeks ahead,” Carragher explained.
United Strike Early and Snatch Victory
Manchester United’s Bryan Mbeumo stunned the home crowd by opening the scoring just 62 seconds into the match, capitalizing on a defensive mix-up between Virgil van Dijk and Alexis Mac Allister.
Cody Gakpo restored parity early in the second half, giving Liverpool fans hope.
However, Harry Maguire’s late header sealed a historic victory for United, their first at Anfield since 2016, leaving Liverpool with plenty to ponder about both their attack and defense.
Gary Neville Spotlights Technical Concerns
Former England defender Gary Neville echoed Carragher’s concerns on The Gary Neville Podcast, noting that while Salah shows no signs of physical decline, his technique appears off.
“Some of his sprints look sharp, he’s busy in the box, but his ball control and crossing at the back post? That’s not Mo Salah,” Neville said.
“It’s a technical decline, not physical. That’s the surprising part.”
Neville also didn’t hold back on Liverpool’s defensive performance, describing the backline as “really poor” and highlighting errors from players like Milos Kerkez, Conor Bradley, and Van Dijk, who appeared unusually shaky throughout the match.
A Critical Week Ahead for Liverpool
With Liverpool facing a crucial Champions League tie midweek before returning to Premier League action at Brentford, Slot’s side will need to address these tactical concerns quickly.
The clash against Brentford could be pivotal in halting their slide and keeping their hopes alive for a top-of-the-table challenge.
Carragher and Neville’s comments have only amplified the scrutiny, particularly over Salah’s role and Liverpool’s defensive vulnerabilities, as the team seeks to regain momentum and stability.