Liverpool talisman Mohamed Salah’s form has dipped to such an extent that he should not be considered an automatic starter away from home, former defender Jamie Carragher said after the Premier League champions suffered a fourth consecutive defeat.
The 33-year-old Egyptian forward, who signed a two-year contract extension in April, has been way below his record-breaking form from last season’s campaign and has gone seven matches without a non-penalty goal.
Salah squandered a golden opportunity to score in Liverpool’s 2-1 defeat by Manchester United at Anfield on Sunday and Carragher said he should not be one of the first names on the team sheet like captain Virgil van Dijk.
“Liverpool have got two away games — in the Champions League at Frankfurt and then they go to Brentford. I don’t think Salah should start both of those games,” Carragher told Sky Sports.
“He should always start at Anfield because Liverpool will be on top, around the edge of the box and more often than not he scores in those situations today.
“But I do think in the away games and helping your full-back, I don’t think Salah should be starting every game right now, certainly away from home, with the form he’s in.”
Liverpool came into Sunday’s game on the back of league defeats by Crystal Palace and Chelsea, and a Champions League loss to Galatasaray.
Their poor run comes despite splashing out £446 million ($600 million) in the close-season transfer window and Carragher said manager Arne Slot should build the team around Alexander Isak and Florian Wirtz.
“It has to be Isak and Wirtz because they’ve spent the money on them and their age profile compared to Salah,” Carragher said.
Liverpool are fourth in the league on 15 points from eight matches, four behind leaders Arsenal.
Liverpool star Salah should not be automatic starter in away games, says Carragher
https://arab.news/mvcxy
Liverpool star Salah should not be automatic starter in away games, says Carragher
- Egyptian forward has been way below his record-breaking form from last season’s campaign
- Salah squandered a golden opportunity to score in Liverpool’s 2-1 defeat by Manchester United at Anfield on Sunday
FIA president praises Saudi Arabia boost of Dakar Rally
- Mohammed Ben Sulayem will attend the climax of the 48th edition at the weekend
DUBAI: FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem has praised Saudi Arabia for helping the Dakar Rally emerge as one of the world’s top events, and boosting the FIA World Rally-Raid Championship.
Ben Sulayem will attend the 48th edition of the legendary race as it reaches its climax at the weekend.
The opening round of the championship has attracted a record 72 entries. It will also mark the launch of the new FIA Master Drivers’ Championship, and the entry of Defender as a new manufacturer.
Ben Sulayem will be welcomed on Friday by Prince Khalid bin Sultan Al-Abdullah Al-Faisal, chairman of the Saudi Automobile and Motorcycle Federation.
The FIA president, who will speak at the closing ceremony on Saturday evening, said the event “continues to go from strength to strength.”
He added that the race now has a “record numbers of entries, new manufacturers, and ever-increasing competition in the FIA World Rally-Raid Championship, reflecting the continued global growth of motorsport.”
He thanked Prince Khalid and the federation “for hosting another outstanding event and delivering a truly world-class experience for competitors, fans, and all those involved.”
Joining Ben Sulayem on his visit will be Malcolm Wilson, the FIA’s deputy president for sport.
“The 2026 edition of the Dakar Rally continues to showcase both the growth of the FIA World Rally-Raid Championship and the strength of Cross-Country rallying as a whole,” said Wilson.
He added that it was “encouraging to see three manufacturers – Toyota, Dacia and Ford – all increasing their presence,” and welcomed Defender in the Stock category.
