Former Chelsea midfielder John Obi Mikel has launched a passionate defense of Liverpool star Mohamed Salah following criticism from pundit Jamie Carragher. The dispute emerged after Salah expressed frustration about reduced playing time under manager Arne Slot this season.

Salah enjoyed an exceptional 2024/25 campaign, netting 34 goals and providing 23 assists across 52 appearances. His performance earned him fourth place in the Ballon d’Or rankings. However, the Egyptian forward’s role has diminished recently despite Liverpool’s £446m summer investment in new players.

Carragher criticized Salah’s public comments about being benched during a CBS Sports Golazo debate. The former Liverpool defender referenced Salah’s early struggles at Chelsea and noted his lack of African Cup of Nations trophies with Egypt.

Mikel’s Fiery Defense

On his Obi One Podcast, Mikel countered: “Why constantly criticize African footballers? Carragher attacked Salah for never winning AFCON. What does that have to do with Premier League performance?” Mikel questioned Carragher’s dismissive attitude toward African football’s significance.

The Nigerian legend defended Salah’s career trajectory: “He learned from early struggles. Failure builds character. Salah rebounded to become Liverpool’s talisman. That’s resilience.” Mikel highlighted the Egyptian’s 194 goals for Liverpool as proof of his world-class status.

Mikel also challenged Carragher’s credentials: “He won no Premier League titles. He abandoned the England national team. Yet he condemns Salah for wanting to play through tough periods. That’s true leadership.”

Balanced Perspective

While not condoning all of Salah’s actions, Mikel affirmed: “Has Salah earned the right to demand playing time? Absolutely. His contributions command respect.” The debate highlights ongoing discussions about player-manager dynamics and perceptions of African football excellence.