Alan Shearer raises Mohamed Salah question as Arne Slot's stance is clear

Alan Shearer has questioned whether Mohamed Salah warrants a place in Liverpool's starting line-up after the forward was substituted against Nottingham Forest, with Rio Ngumoha impressing

Alan Shearer has raised an interesting question(Image: Getty Images)

Alan Shearer has raised doubts over whether Mohamed Salah deserves his spot in Liverpool's first XI.

The pundit has even hinted that Arne Slot could consider dropping him after Rio Ngumoha's eye-catching substitute appearance against Nottingham Forest. Shearer maintains Salah's displays have been considerably below the benchmark he established in earlier seasons, despite the attacker registering seven goals and eight assists in all competitions.

Following his return from Egypt's Africa Cup of Nations duties, he has recorded two goals and four assists in eight matches. Nevertheless, Salah was withdrawn while the Reds remained goalless against Forest, with Ngumoha entering the fray for the closing stages.

The 17-year-old made an impression after his introduction, and Liverpool broke the deadlock with him on the field.

Discussing that fixture while speaking to Betfair before Liverpool's win against West Ham on Saturday, Shearer commented: "It's been a really poor season up to now for Liverpool.

"But it has to be a good sign when they were as poor as they were last weekend against Forest and still came away winning the game.

Mohamed Salah during a Liverpool training session(Image: Getty Images)

"How many times have we said that the sign of a good team is winning when they're not playing well? That was a big win in more ways than one for Liverpool last weekend.

"There is a question mark over Mo Salah and whether he deserves to be in the team or not. I guess we'll have to wait and see, but he hasn't been anywhere near what he has done in previous seasons.

"Rio Ngumoha does look a talent, but there's a balance the manager has to get right. When you're knocking on the door that much, at some point, the manager has to let you loose but also protect you.

"In terms of ability, there's no doubt he changed the game last weekend, and what that does is give his manager food for thought. But it would be a huge call to leave out one of Liverpool's greatest ever players for a youngster that's knocking on the door."

Despite this, Slot has given no sign of making such a choice, having backed Salah ahead of the West Ham match. He said: "We are used to Mo scoring a lot of goals, and at this moment in time, that is maybe the biggest difference in his performance and game time.

"But we also know this has happened before. I don't know if it happened nine games in a row, but I've had these questions before: if he didn't score for three or five games. I know in the end he always starts scoring again.

"That is the challenge he has, and we have to make sure he starts scoring again. He is not our only attacker at this moment in time who doesn't score as much as we are used to.

"He set his own standards, and those are so, so, so high and the moment he doesn't score for a few games, people are immediately surprised - that is the biggest compliment he can get."