Liverpool and Mohamed Salah have encountered a challenging phase recently, with the impending departure of Jürgen Klopp looming large.
The Reds’ disappointments include exits from the FA Cup, Europa League, and falling out of the Premier League title race.
Once poised for a potential quadruple, Liverpool is now set to wrap up the season with the Carabao Cup and a Champions League spot.
While this might have been deemed progress last summer, there are growing calls for significant changes due to defensive and offensive deficiencies.
However, Liverpool is expected to take a more long-term view. Despite the recent struggles, the fundamental elements that drove them towards title contention have not suddenly become inadequate—primarily, injuries have taken their toll.
Rumors have surfaced suggesting that Liverpool is considering parting ways with Salah, with sporting director Richard Hughes purportedly driving the decision to offload the Egyptian forward.
Speculation about Salah’s future is fueled by his post-injury form and the fact that his contract expires in 2025. At 31, concerns about his longevity have emerged, particularly given his recent performance dips.
Yet, the broader reality remains clear. Salah has contributed 24 goals and 13 assists for Liverpool this season—an output that would have been higher if Darwin Núñez, in particular, had been more clinical with the chances provided to him.
Despite not being at his best, Salah has still managed to score five goals in the nine Premier League matches he’s played in 2024, which, while not exceptional, is respectable. Given his high standards, he faces different scrutiny from other players.
Only Diogo Jota at Liverpool has a slightly better goals-per-minute ratio this season than Salah, and that’s by a narrow margin.
However, Liverpool cannot overly rely on Jota’s fitness either. Despite recent concerns, Salah’s injury record has generally been reliable.
Among Liverpool’s five forwards, Salah remains the most dependable in terms of goal-scoring consistency and availability for selection. He may benefit from a reset and a reduction in pressure from his teammates.
If Núñez hadn’t experienced a form slump simultaneously with Salah, and if Jota hadn’t been sidelined at a crucial moment, criticism of Salah’s form would likely have been less severe.
Considering Salah’s age, recent injury, and impending contract expiry, it’s plausible to suggest he could be sold this summer. However, such a move carries significant risks.
Parting ways with their most reliable forward amid doubts about the consistency and availability of the other forwards would be a substantial gamble, especially amidst a managerial change.
