Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher has suggested that Mohamed Salah should no longer be an automatic starter for the Reds, especially during away fixtures. This comes after Salah’s recent dip in form, which was evident in their recent 2-1 loss to Manchester United.

Salah missed two clear chances in that match and has now gone seven Premier League games without a goal from open play. This marks his longest goal drought since joining Liverpool in 2017. Carragher, who made these comments on The Gary Neville Podcast, emphasized that manager Arne Slot now faces tough decisions regarding the 33-year-old forward’s role.

Carragher stated, “I think we’re at that stage now where Mo Salah shouldn’t be a guaranteed starter every week. I don’t think Salah should be like a Virgil van Dijk, the first name on the team sheet.” This highlights the need for strategic changes in team selection.

Carragher, who played over 700 games for Liverpool, advised that Slot should consider rotating Salah, particularly in away fixtures where defensive work and pressing are more demanding. He specifically mentioned, “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. He should always start at Anfield because Liverpool will be on top, around the edge of the box, and that’s where he scores most of his goals. But in away games, with the form he’s in, I don’t think Salah should be starting every game, certainly away from home.”

Carragar also noted that Salah, despite his status as one of the Premier League’s top scorers in recent years, must accept squad rotation as part of the natural cycle for aging players. “Would he be OK with that? Probably not. But when you get to a certain age, you have to understand that, especially when you’re not playing well. It’s different if you’re banging in the goals and your manager drops you for tactical reasons. But right now, I don’t think Mo Salah’s in any position to complain if he’s left out of one of the next two away games.”

Once Liverpool’s most potent attacker, Salah has struggled to influence games under Slot’s new tactical system. This places additional pressure on manager Slot as he seeks to rejuvenate the team’s attack while competing with Manchester City and Arsenal in the Premier League title race.