“I’m worried about Salah” - Peterborough United chairman believes Liverpool superstar might struggle this season

Peterborough United chairman Darragh MacAnthony has expressed his concerns over Liverpool superstar Mohamed Salah. He reckons the Egyptian King declined towards the second half of the 2023-24 campaign and his form won't improve this season.

Salah was decent last season, returning a respectable 25 goals and 14 assists in 44 appearances across all competitions. However, his form started to tail off in the second half of the season, following Egypt's exit from the AFCON in January.

After returning from the continental competition, the 32-year-old netted seven goals and registered five assists in 17 appearances across competitions. However, he failed to look convincing in all aspects of his game, considering his exceptional first half of the season.

Moreover, Salah was forced to miss 10 games for Liverpool due to a hamstring and muscular injury - suffering his first injury for the Reds in nearly five years.

Liverpool boss Arne Slot will be hoping to get the very best out of Mohamed Salah, which Jurgen Klopp succeeded in over the past seven years. However, MacAnthony believes otherwise, as he told talkSPORT:

“I’m worried about Salah. I think he was great at the start of the season. Then with age, his output in the second half of the season was waning and it’s not going to be any better this season. That’s just my opinion.”

Salah has established himself as one of the best players in Premier League history at Liverpool, garnering 211 goals and 89 assists in 349 appearances in all competitions. He has helped the Reds win seven trophies, including the Premier League and UEFA Champions League.

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Gabby Agbonlahor hails Liverpool attacker who has been linked with a possible transfer to Barcelona

Former Aston Villa forward Gabriel Agbonlahor has waxed lyrical about Liverpool winger Luis Diaz, praising the Colombian for his work-rate and dribbling down the left wing. However, he acknowledged Diaz could improve upon his finishing.

Diaz was Jurgen Klopp's preferred starter at left wing since joining the club in January 2022. On his day, the 27-year-old can be unplayable but has been criticized for his poor finishing as he's scored just 24 goals in 98 appearances in all competitions to date, with eight of them coming last season.

Amid being linked with a possible move to Barcelona this summer, Agbonlahor told talkSPORT (via Rousing the Kop):

“I like Diaz. When he is on it, he is a problem. He is one that can finish better. When he is on it, the energy. He does not stop, does he? He is one of those wingers that, as are a right-back, if you are having a tough afternoon and you are getting tired, you are like, please go to the opposite side, he doesn’t stop. He will take you on, cut back, take you on, cut back, he doesn’t stop all game.”

Diaz is yet to join up with the rest of his teammates and Arne Slot following his involvement with Colombia at the 2024 Copa America. It remains to be seen if he is preferred at left wing over Cody Gakpo who was brilliant in that position during Euro 2024.