Liverpool icon Steve Nicol has called on manager Arne Slot to make a bold decision regarding Mohamed Salah’s place in the team, suggesting the Egyptian forward might benefit from being benched amid a noticeable decline in form.
The 33-year-old, who was instrumental in Liverpool’s title-winning campaign with 29 goals in 38 league matches, has failed to replicate that level of performance this season. Although he has recorded five goals and three assists in 16 appearances, his overall sharpness and influence on games appear to have diminished.
Slot’s Liverpool currently find themselves in a difficult spell, sitting eighth in the Premier League and eight points adrift of leaders Arsenal after 11 matches. The club’s recent big-money additions — including Florian Wirtz and Alexander Isak — have also struggled to make an impact, intensifying the pressure on the Dutch manager.
Speaking to ESPN FC, Nicol was direct when asked whether Salah should be dropped from the starting lineup.
“Yes, I would,” Nicol said. “The question is — for who? But clearly, what’s being done right now isn’t working. Sometimes, taking a player out gives them a new perspective.”
Nicol added that Salah’s recent goals against Brentford and Aston Villa have done little to mask his inconsistent performances. “If you keep playing him in this form, the team ends up carrying him — and Liverpool can’t afford that anymore,” he said.
When asked if Slot might be overusing Salah ahead of the Africa Cup of Nations, Nicol dismissed that notion. “What’s the point? He’s not offering anything at the moment. Maybe this is the time to find other solutions instead of waiting for him to suddenly turn into the Egyptian King again.”
Nicol’s remarks mirror the growing concern among supporters, who have seen Salah’s influence fade during a turbulent period for Liverpool. With the Reds struggling to regain momentum, the coming weeks could prove pivotal for both Salah’s form and Slot’s authority within the squad.
