Jamie Carragher Urges Mo Salah to Step Up as Liverpool Struggle Through Crisis
Liverpool’s ongoing struggles in the Premier League have sparked intense debate over leadership and accountability within the squad, and former defender Jamie Carragher has directly called out star forward Mohamed Salah for his silence amid the crisis. With the Reds enduring a shocking series of defeats, Carragher believes that Salah, one of the team’s most influential players, must take a more vocal role both on and off the pitch.
Speaking on Sky Sports’ Monday Night Football, Carragher highlighted the stark contrast between Salah’s media presence and that of captain Virgil van Dijk. While Van Dijk has consistently offered candid reflections on the team’s performance, including admitting that Liverpool were “a mess” following a 3-0 defeat to Nottingham Forest, Carragher criticized Salah for only speaking publicly when he wins individual awards or negotiates a new contract. He emphasized that leadership should not rest solely on Van Dijk’s shoulders.
Carragher referenced Salah’s own contract saga in November 2024, when the Egyptian forward openly discussed his frustrations with Liverpool’s contract offer before eventually signing a two-year extension worth £380,000 per week in April. The former defender argued that if Salah can be outspoken about personal matters, he should similarly be willing to represent the team during challenging periods. “I’d like to see Mo Salah come out as one of the leaders, one of the legends of Liverpool, and speak for the team,” Carragher stated.
The Reds’ poor form this season has intensified scrutiny on manager Arne Slot, who has guided the team to only one win in seven matches, leaving Liverpool 11th in the table and 11 points behind leaders Arsenal. Despite mounting pressure and criticism from fans and pundits, Carragher defended Slot, stressing that comparisons to Jurgen Klopp’s tenure are unfair and that the manager’s position should not be in question. Slot himself has accepted responsibility for the team’s slump, though his absence from the Northern Football Writers’ Association awards added fuel to the ongoing debate.
Liverpool’s struggles extend beyond results to morale and leadership within the squad. With multiple defeats and a weakening title defense, the need for senior players to publicly take responsibility is clear. Carragher’s comments underline a broader concern: even world-class talents must embrace leadership duties to guide their team through crises, both in the locker room and in the media.
As Liverpool look to recover, the spotlight is now on Salah to demonstrate that his influence extends beyond his goals and accolades. Carragher’s plea is not just about media appearances—it is a call for one of football’s most celebrated players to step up and become a visible, vocal figure capable of uniting and motivating his teammates during one of the club’s toughest seasons in recent memory.
