'Sacrificing himself': Former Liverpool player stands up for Mohamed Salah after another goalless display

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Mohamed Salah has struggled with his Liverpool form this season, and the Chelsea game was no exception.The Egyptian has found himself on a four-game goalless run, which has come under scrutiny as the star is used to being one of the Reds’ major outlets for goal contributions.Yesterday’s game against Enzo Maresca’s side proved to be tricky for the winger to get into as he failed to make his influence known in a 2-1 loss, which ended with a late winner for Estevao Willian.However, complaints about Salah’s performance, while valid, could be overblown given that it was an overall poor performance by the team, which had included some terrible individual displays.This has been a recurring issue with the squad not being a team in the slightest, not being able to be a cohesive unit due to a number of factors, including new signings and a lack of energy.Photo by GLYN KIRK/AFP via Getty ImagesDavid Thompson says Mohamed Salah is sacrificing himself for the teamIt’s something that needs to be sorted out quickly; otherwise, their position in the Premier League table and Champions League will continue to slip away, which will make it difficult to make up ground.The international break could be a good chance for another rest; however, it is known that after a break, Liverpool struggles with their form.Salah has had much of the criticism this season, but only because he was exceptional last season and has been one of our most consistent players over the years he has spent on Merseyside.But former Red David Thompson believes there is a difference this season in the 33-year-old because he is sacrificing his own output to try and make something happen for his side.READ MORE: Arne Slot hints at how Liverpool’s new set-up can still get the best out of Mo Salah despite Chelsea defeatSpeaking on a Stadium Astro broadcast, Thompson explained: “What’s happening with Mo Salah now is he’s getting a little bit frustrated with himself and he’s starting to snatch at opportunities in the game, but he’s actually sacrificing himself for the team at the moment.“He’s keeping very disciplined. He’s keeping the space out wide, and he’s waiting for the opportunity to pounce.

Now, last year he did the same thing.“There were times in games where he had not fully participated, and you were saying maybe the manager might take him off after 60, 70, 80 minutes, but then Mo Salah would then go and create that assist or create that bit of space for someone or he put it in the back of the net himself while Mo Salah’s on the pitch.“You always have a chance to score goals. And I think the way Mo Salah has adjusted his game over the years to bring more assists into his game that’s come from being patient but waiting for the right opportunity.

They know he’s the most dangerous player on the pitch.“So they double up on him. So what he’s learning now is if they’re doubling up on me, there must be a spare player at the back post.”Mohamed Salah cannot do everything when the team performs badlyAfter last season, it was just expected that anytime the team was performing badly, Salah would be the player to step up and change the game for the Reds in the blink of an eye.However, this was before the whole team was performing poorly, so now it seems incredibly unfair to expect the Egyptian international to do everything in a squad that seemingly cannot do anything for themselves.Some players are trying their hardest, but the expectation is still that Salah can change the game; this is not the same as Slot’s incredible opening season.The fact that it is just a given in the minds of the players and the fans that he will do something when he is not even getting enough service down the right makes no sense.He will be able to turn his own individual form around, although it is changes in the squad that are needed before fans can expect that same Salah we all know and love.