Jamie Carragher suggests star players Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk are experiencing a decline due to age, remarking their “legs have gone” amid the club’s worst run since 1954, following a significant Champions League defeat to PSV Eindhoven.
Liverpool legends Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk are showing signs of decline and age, according to a report from former club stalwart Jamie Carragher.
The former defender claimed both players are struggling for form amidst Liverpool’s ongoing crisis, which has seen them fall to nine defeats in 12 games, including a humiliating 4-1 defeat to PSV Eindhoven in the Champions League. This poor spell marks the club’s worst run of results in 70 years.
Carragher stated on CBS Sports that he found it difficult to criticise the duo, given their legendary status, but was blunt in his appraisal.
“You’re watching Van Dijk now, not the same player, and Salah looks like his legs have gone,” he claimed.
Salah, aged 33, has recently scored just one goal in his last five appearances, while Van Dijk, 34, has conceded three penalties this season.
The former centre-back elaborated on the Dutch captain’s struggles, suggesting his decline: “Van Dijk now can’t help other players. He needs help himself.
That just means that he’s a normal centre-back, like I was at one stage. He’s not superhuman right now.” Carragher urged the rest of the squad to “step up,” questioning if they can only play well when the key players are carrying them.
Despite scrutiny on manager Arne Slot, Carragher insisted the Dutchman’s position is not yet ‘untenable.’ He pointed to Liverpool’s culture, stating: “Liverpool have never sacked a manager who’s won the league. Never, in history.”