Arne Slot told to make brutal Mohamed Salah call amid Liverpool star’s worrying form

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Mohamed Salah has to be taken out of Liverpool's starting XI - Arne Slot's persistence in playing him is harming the club.That's the view of ex-Aston Villa striker Gabby Agbonlahor, who has had his say on the Reds winger's dismal form this season.5Salah once again failed to have his shooting boots on in the recent 2-1 defeat to Manchester UnitedCredit: AFPSalah once again drew a blank on Sunday as he was unable to inspire his side to victory over Manchester United at Anfield.The Red Devils snatched a 2-1 win in Merseyside - their first victory at their rival's stadium since 2016.It was also the first time that United have won back-to-back Premier League matches under Ruben Amorim's tutelage - 11 months and 35 games after his appointment.How have Liverpool and Salah fared this season?But while it was a game to celebrate for the visitors, the stats make grim reading for Liverpool, who have now lost their last three top-flight matches for the first time since February 2021.READ MORE ON LIVERPOOLIn the bigger picture, it's four straight defeats in all competitions [first time since November 2014] - and it could get worse away at Eintracht Frankfurt in the Champions League on Wednesday night.Unlike in previous seasons, Salah has been unable to rescue Liverpool - now three points off leaders Arsenal - with the 33-year-old struggling for form having scored just twice in his opening eight league fixtures this term.Salah, who missed a second half sitter against United, is now without an open play goal in his last seven Premier League outings since the opening weekend victory over Bournemouth - his longest streak in the division for Liverpool.And for talkSPORT co-host Agbonlahor, he believes that the Egyptian needs to be taken out of the firing line for the sake of the team.It's Sal over?Speaking on the talkSPORT Breakfast show on Monday, Agbonlahor said: "Salah's not firing, Salah and [Alexander] Isak have got no relationship at the moment."Whenever Salah's trying to put him through, he's not making the runs. then [Hugo] Ekitike is on the bench, should he have been starting?5Salah somehow failed to find the back of the net from just a few yards out against UnitedCredit: Getty5Liverpool fans are starting to grow concerned over his dismal formCredit: Getty"I think they've got a problem there, it just seems [that it's] not working at the moment for Liverpool."Pressed by co-host Jeff Stelling as to whether Salah needs to be taken out of the line-up, Agbonlahor insisted boss Slot has no other choice.He remarked: "I think it is, I think you have to be honest, he's not performing."He's not offering much defensively, and yesterday, he kept on cutting inside and trying to force passes that weren't on."Manchester United never left space in behind, he kept trying a little dink pass in behind - which maybe with a high line would work."But he's not looking like the player [he was] last season, there's no harm in bringing him out.5Egypti international Salah hasn't scored a non-penalty goal since August 15"And do you play [Jeremie] Frimpong on that right hand side? Do you get Ekitike to do a job on that right hand side?"Whatever it is, you can't keep playing a player who's not performing."Agbonlaher later added: "I really do think he should be dropped, because seven games without scoring a non-penalty goal in his career, it's like a record for Mo Salah, never happened."He's fluffing chances, he's snatching at chances which you don't expect from Mo Salah."That one in the second half when he received it, if you see the replay, he's just got to side foot it."The goals open on the opposite side and he just swings a foot at it, that's not Mo Salah."5Liverpool are currently on their worst run of form in 11 yearsCredit: GettyAgbonlahor's comments were echoed by Liverpool legend Mark Lawrenson, who believes the player is too 'comfortable' at the club following his £400,000-a-week contract extension he penned in April.Lawrenson said on Breakfast: "He's not been good enough, we're not worried about the fact that he missed his chances, because that's the nature of the way that he plays and his position."But you've got to work hard for the team, it's not like ten teas and one coffee, it's like 11 teas, so we know the way that he is anyway." I shouldn't really say this, but the thing is that you look at him now and he's got his contract and it's a little bit… is it comfortable?

Is he really working hard enough to be in that team?Read More on talkSPORT"You'd probably say no, and you you say it with a little bit of trepidation because he might… I think they've got a midweek game, haven't they? So he'll probably go and score a hat-trick or something."But at least, you know, as a manager, you'd have to have the conversation with him and say, 'Look, we need a little bit extra,' as they need a little bit extra probably for most of the team at the moment."