Jamie Carragher has urged Mohamed Salah to speak to the media as Liverpool navigate a severe dip in form, saying the forward should show leadership the way Virgil van Dijk has after recent defeats.
The Reds were beaten 3-0 at Anfield by Nottingham Forest on Saturday, their sixth loss in seven Premier League games, leaving the defending champions 11th in the table — the first time in more than a decade Liverpool have been in the bottom half. Van Dijk, as captain, addressed the media after the Forest defeat, but Carragher says other senior figures should also be fronting up.
“A year ago this weekend, Mo Salah wasn’t shy in speaking about his own situation and the club not offering him a contract,” Carragher told Monday Night Football, referencing Salah’s public comments during last season’s contract negotiations. Salah eventually signed a new deal in April. Carragher added: “I only ever hear Salah speak when he gets man of the match or when he needs a new contract. I would like to see Salah as one of the leaders and legends of Liverpool come out and speak for the team.”
Carragher previously criticised Salah last season, labelling some of his public contract comments “selfish”, and now believes the Egypt international should use his stature to address the club’s crisis rather than remain silent.
Wayne Rooney, speaking on The Wayne Rooney Show podcast, also suggested Liverpool head coach Arne Slot might need to make a big decision to change the team’s dynamic, even considering leaving Salah out to send a message. Rooney said: “Salah is not helping them defensively. If you’re one of the players they’ve signed and you’re on the bench and you’ve seen him not running… what message does that send to you?”
Liverpool have lost eight of their last 11 matches in all competitions, and Saturday’s defeat equalled their worst Premier League loss at Anfield. That poor run has increased scrutiny on Slot, who led Liverpool to last season’s title in his first year in charge. Carragher defended the Dutch manager against calls for his immediate dismissal, saying sacking Slot this season should not be contemplated.
Asked whether Liverpool could sack Slot, Carragher replied: “No, not in mind at any time through this season.” He acknowledged fans’ frustration but pointed out the respect for what Slot achieved: “To win the title in your first season is pretty special. But I have the feeling that he doesn’t have the unconditional love and support that Jurgen Klopp always had… For me, there should be no thought and no talk about this manager being out of a job this season.”
Carragher noted people he spoke to after the Forest game were more critical of Slot than he expected, but stressed that while results are worrying, the manager should be given time.
Liverpool’s near-term schedule
– Wednesday: PSV Eindhoven (H), Champions League
– Sunday: West Ham (A), Premier League
– Dec 3: Sunderland (H), Premier League
– Dec 6: Leeds (A), Premier League
– Dec 9: Inter Milan (A), Champions League
With questions over leadership and form persisting, Carragher wants senior players — and particularly Salah — to step forward and address the situation publicly as the pressure on the squad and manager builds.