With African superstar Mohamed Salah once again underperforming for Liverpool, someone close to the club has explained why he believes the Egyptian is becoming a problem for Jurgen Klopp.
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Despite playing 90 minutes in the Reds' 1-0 loss to Napoli in the UEFA Champions League on Wednesday night, many have criticised the 26-year-old's showing.
Salah has not yet found his best form since the season began, and former Liverpool stalwart Jamie Carragher has insisted it is not the lack of goals that should be worrying, but rather his sloppy play.
"I think too much has been made of Salah's form – he's only one goal down on last season," he told Sky Sports.
"I hope Klopp is saying this to him about the goals he scored last season, if he doesn't get over 40 goals it doesn't mean he's had a bad season.
"Ian Rush was Liverpool's greatest ever goalscorer, he scored 47 in one season, he didn't score 47 again, he'd score 25, 30 goals a season.
"Where Klopp has got a problem, where he (Salah) is not playing well, I think he's been very sloppy in those areas (further away from goal). If you go to the PSG game, he gave the ball away and they scored – two minutes later he was taken off.
"This is what will frustrate a manager. It's not about missing chances, it's about putting the team in danger (by losing the ball). As a manager on the side of the pitch, if you're thinking he's not at his best you think he might get us a goal (you keep him on).
"But if you think he's putting your team in danger, he's got to get off the pitch. That will be the problem for Klopp, how he's performing in those areas (further away from goal) on the ball."
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Salah has found the back of the net on just three occasions in 10 matches for Liverpool so far this season.
Why do you think Salah has struggled so far in this campaign? Let us know in the comments section below.
