‘Liverpool play better without Mo Salah’ – Ex-Liverpool star says Reds should cash in on Egyptian

Nicholas Hughes

• Updated: 27 May 2021 10:36 BST
• 3 min read

Liverpool should look to cash in on Mohamed Salah in the summer and use it as an opportunity to strengthen the rest of the team, according to David James.

The former Liverpool goalkeeper said that, while Salah’s goal record has been crucial to Liverpool’s success, his inclusion in the side is starting to detract from the system.

“In my eyes, he might be second in the golden boot running, but I think Liverpool actually play better without Salah,” he said on Stadium Astro.

“I think Liverpool’s fluidity is compromised with Salah. Top scorers tend to not win leagues.”

With Diogo Jota emerging as a key option up front, James said Liverpool have their replacement for the Egyptian already and that a change of tact could be what the Reds need.

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“The opportunity for Liverpool to maybe cash in on Salah, Jota then naturally fits into that front three, Firmino gets more freedom arguably,” he said.

“Then Liverpool have a new dynamic up front rather than what seems to be a reliance on Salah’s goals.”

Salah registered 22 league goals for Liverpool this season, falling one short of Harry Kane atop the golden boot chart.

That takes his tally to 95 for the club in Premier League football in only 145 games since joining from Roma in 2017.

Mohamed Salah leading the line for Liverpool again

The 28-year-old had his lowest total for assists in a red shirt, setting up his teammates five times compared to 10 from last season.

Rumours have swirled about a possible move for Salah to the likes of Real Madrid, with the player himself dropping multiple hints in the media in recent months.

Salah still has the strong backing of Jurgen Klopp and looks set to head into a fifth season at Anfield as the Reds look to claw back the Premier League title from Manchester City’s clutches.