⚽ Steve Nicol Tells Arne Slot to Make Bold Mohamed Salah Decision Amid Liverpool Struggles

Liverpool legend Steve Nicol has urged manager Arne Slot to consider benching star forward Mohamed Salah, following what he described as a concerning dip in the Egyptian’s form this season.

The 33-year-old winger, who netted an impressive 29 goals in 38 league matches during Liverpool’s title-winning campaign, has struggled to replicate that brilliance this term. Despite contributing five goals and three assists in 16 appearances, Salah’s overall influence and sharpness appear to have faded.

Slot’s side, meanwhile, are enduring a rough patch — sitting eighth in the Premier League table, eight points behind leaders Arsenal after 11 matches. Big-money signings like Florian Wirtz and Alexander Isak have also yet to make the desired impact, adding further pressure on the Dutch boss.

Speaking to ESPN FC, Nicol didn’t hold back when asked whether Salah should be dropped.

> “Yes, I would,” Nicol replied bluntly. “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.”

He continued,

> “Salah scored a couple against Brentford and Aston Villa, but aside from that, his performances haven’t really improved. If you keep playing him in this form, the team ends up carrying him — and Liverpool can’t afford that anymore.”

When pressed on whether Slot might be overplaying Salah before the Africa Cup of Nations, Nicol dismissed that logic entirely.

> “What’s the point?” he said. “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 comments echo growing frustration among fans, who have watched Salah — once Liverpool’s talisman — fade during a difficult run of form under Slot. With the Reds struggling to rediscover their rhythm, the coming weeks could define both Salah’s season and Slot’s authorit

y in the dressing room.