Mohamed Salah's form is going to cost Liverpool the Premier League title, according to former Reds defender Steve Nicol.
The Scot, who won four titles during his time at Anfield, was responding to Salah's claim that he has been judged too harshly over a lack of goals this season compared to the 2017/18 campaign, when he netted 32 times and won the Premier League Golden Boot.
Salah now hasn't scored for eight games in all competitions, although his back post header did lead to Toby Alderweireld's own goal winner for the Reds in Sunday's crucial 2-1 victory over Tottenham at Anfield.
“His head has gone,” Nicol told ESPN .
“And he shouldn't say he's had a bad season because he hasn't had a bad season. He's had a bad second part of the season.
“As good as he was in the first part of the season, he's been as bad in the second.”
Nicol went on to claim that Salah's displays have effectively left Liverpool fielding a front two of Roberto Firmino and Sadio Mane.
“When he goes through now, the first thing in your head is 'he's not scoring'. I was praying he was going to pass the ball to Mane, I was praying. Because I thought if he doesn't pass it, this isn't going in the back of the net,” he said.
“The worrying thing I have now thinking about Liverpool is where their goals are going to come from.
“The way Liverpool are set up, (Jurgen) Klopp's best three in the middle of the park are there to be workers, basically. They're not there to play fancy passes through the defences and score goals, they're there to get the ball to the front three.
“We have a situation right now where you basically have a front two, and that's Firmino and Mane, you're down to two players that you think are going to put the ball in the back of the net.
“You look across to Manchester City , who have got an abundance of players who can put the ball in the back of the net. That's the difference for me right now why City will win it and Liverpool won't.”
holythugg
104
Manchester United is the reason Manchester city will lose the EPL championship.
ABenC
88
Yes, Salah was not scoring at the moment, but his presence can cause chaos and panic in the opposition half, thus paving the opening for others especially Mane and Firmino to score, it's a little sad that Liverpool midfielders don't score that much, maybe they should practice more shooting at goals. Anyway, Salah goals will come. YNWA
Zoudeipuy
84
Shit legends talk as always.... highest record of key passes/assists, not to count involved goals. Leave this guy alone, he creates his own chances and deserves to make at least 3 or 4 shots per match, all passes given to him are shit passes that no others in team can convert into a chance. Does Aguero create his own chances? Aguero has by far a world class team supporting him, not a cracked defensive midfield. Silly talk, you should be grateful to Mo for being involved in that goal against the spurs.
Focelnostz
58
Salah is the reasin why luverpool am where we am now mane hasnt scored in a couple off the kast games too there onky being the striker that has team in the game but a wird with salah he will step up and be the player everybody is looking for at the momment. He plays to much maybe a game off will do his legs good cant keep playing him every game and think he will score
Adityaraj18
57
I agree with him Salah is the best player in Liverpool and he needs to get up and score some goals as he said that he will sacrifice his UCL dream to give premier league to liverpool fans.The other reason they are lacking is playmaking they need a good playmaker and we all know how liverpool Midfield is doing especially keita they need a good playmaker who can actually replace the little magician coutinho and if they want to win the premier league they should play better and don't waste chances
Upwardly2015
53
I agree with Salah that he's been too harshly judged. It's true that he's under performing compared to last season. Even at that, he's contributing and his presence in opponent's 18 - yard box is in itself a threat. I know he would love to score as many goals as possible but sometimes things don't work out as desired. I wish all these impatient pundits will take it easy on MO Salah to enable him concentrate on finishing the league with the hope of winning the EPL. Lucky enough, Mané and Firmino are doing well in the attack. For me, i don't agree that Salah's goal drought will not cost Liverpool's title bid. With reliable good keeper, reliable defence, creative mid field and consistent attack and of course element of luck, Liverpool can win the league. Let's stop pointing unnecessary accusing fingers please.
azmilalmahomed7
50
NICI OL YOU LOST UR MIND. MAN !!!!!! GO TO BED AND SLEEP !!!! sorry as when LIVERPOOL WILL WIN A SILVERWARE U“LL STILL NE SLEEPING !!! WHEN THE PARTY IS OUER ， SORRY U WOULD HAVE BEEN MISSING THE ANFIELD & MERSEYSIDE CELEBRATION .YOU WILL REGRET IT . I THINK YLU LOST YOUR BRAIN MAN !!!!!!