Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher has urged manager Arne Slot to rethink Mohamed Salah‘s guaranteed place in the starting lineup, following a string of lackluster performances.
The scrutiny on the Egyptian attacker has intensified after Liverpool suffered their first home loss of the season.
The Reds fell 2-1 to Manchester United at Anfield, widening the gap between the two clubs in the Premier League table.
Slot’s side has now endured four straight defeats across all competitions, including three in the league and one in the UEFA Champions League.
Carragher’s Recommendations for Slot
The ex-Liverpool defender highlighted the importance of a strategic approach when deciding Salah’s involvement in matches.
During a Sky Sports segment, Carragher commented, “This is a delicate situation for the manager, and it’s telling that he chose to take him off the pitch.”
“Under Klopp’s tenure, Salah was frequently substituted even if he appeared to have some stamina left, particularly when his form dipped,” Carragher noted.
“At this stage in his career, Salah shouldn’t be expected to start every single game. He can no longer be the default pick for the starting eleven,” Carragher explained.
“He should definitely feature in the strongest squad, especially for matches at Anfield, but for challenging away fixtures, it might be beneficial to give him some rest.”
He concluded firmly, “We’ve arrived at a stage where Salah’s inclusion in the starting lineup should no longer be automatic.”
As Liverpool face their first sequence of three consecutive Premier League defeats since 2017, the squad now prepares for a crucial Champions League encounter before traveling to Brentford, where a win is essential.