It’s been a difficult season for Mohamed Salah in the Premier League for Liverpool.
Seven goals in six Champions League outings indicates that the Egypt international is bang on form continentally but he’s been struggling domestically.
So far, Salah has only managed four goals from 12 Premier League outings.
And with Liverpool ninth in the standings and eight points behind fourth-placed Newcastle United, well it’s certainly been costing Jurgen Klopp’s side.
This is Darwin Nunez’s first season at Anfield following an £85 million transfer from Benfica.
And Paul Merson has told Sportskeeda that the Uruguayan’s style of play is causing Salah’s goals to dry up, arguing that Roberto Firmino as the number nine is more beneficial for the former Chelsea winger.
He said: “When Mohamed Salah plays on the wing and Roberto Firmino plays, he brings the centre-back with him. It leaves Salah with space to run inside. When Darwin Nunez plays, he’s the focal point, and there’s nowhere for Salah to run except down the wing. You can’t score goals from there, and that’s been his problem this season.”
Merson’s logic is reasonably okay but it’s unfair to blame Nunez for Salah’s woes.
Even when the South American hasn’t been playing centrally, Salah still struggles to look like his old and lethal self.
The truth is that Klopp wouldn’t have signed Nunez if there was a chance of him costing his teammate goals at Liverpool.
Like everything in the squad, this is a balancing act and the more the pair play together, the more they’ll hopefully thrive together.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
