Manchester United legend Paul Scholes believes Liverpool manager Arne Slot should consider dropping Mohamed Salah from his starting XI. The former midfielder suggested that being left out of the team could actually work in Salah’s favor, potentially benefiting both the club and the player.
Speaking on the Stick To Football podcast, Scholes expressed concerns over Salah’s recent performances, describing the Egyptian forward’s play as “ugly” at times due to his difficulty controlling the ball. Scholes noted that previously, these issues were overlooked because Salah was consistently scoring goals. However, with the forward’s goal output drying up, the mistakes have become more noticeable.
Scholes said:
“Of course, Salah should [be dropped if he isn’t performing]. He’s not playing very well. I always thought that even when he was scoring goals, he looks ugly at times. Some of the stuff he’d do, the ball would bounce off his legs, he would do some of the worst stuff you’d see from a forward. When you stop scoring goals, all of that comes into focus. Slot will have to leave him out at some point [if it continues]. Sometimes it’s a good thing being left out too.”
Recently, Mohamed Salah was dropped from the starting XI against Eintracht Frankfurt in the UEFA Champions League by manager Arne Slot, ending his run in the team.
### Joleon Lescott Defends Salah
However, not everyone agrees with Scholes’ view. Former Manchester City defender Joleon Lescott has come to Salah’s defense amid his current poor form for Liverpool. Lescott argued that Salah should not be dropped but instead rested at times.
Lescott commented:
“I don’t think Salah should be dropped. Rested maybe at certain times, yes. But the thing is with him, he’s not performing any differently, is he? He’s just not getting the goals. He’s not getting the chances. If he starts missing chances, then I can question his form because Salah is for me undoubtedly a match decider. But his performances are pretty much the same.”
He continued:
“He’s operating in the same area of the field, he’s not asked to do much defensive work because he’s so efficient when he gets the ball in the final third in the box. If he’s doing that then I’ve got to look at the team and be like, ‘Well, why are we not getting him the ball?’”
### Salah’s Current Form
Mohamed Salah has scored two goals in the Premier League so far this season and has netted once in the UEFA Champions League. However, he has been without a goal for Liverpool in his last six appearances, a drought that has intensified the debate around his place in the starting lineup.
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