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Liverpool legend Graeme Souness said that Mohamed Salah's performance in the Community Shield earlier this season set alarm bells ringing.
Liverpool lost that game on penalties, but not many supporters were particularly bothered about losing what is seen by most soccer fans as a glorified friendly.
Arne Slot's men went on to win seven games in a row at the start of the campaign, although there were concerning signs during that run of form, and the last 15 games have seen Liverpool win just four times.
Salah's form has been one of Liverpool's many issues, with the Egyptian looking a shadow of the player that looked a shoo-in for the Ballon d'Or at one stage last season.
The 33-year-old has scored just four goals from open play all season, and he has started Liverpool's last three Premier League games as a substitute.
Souness appeared on talkSPORT on Monday morning, and said that his concerns over Salah's form stretch back to August.
"He has not been at it this season, for whatever reason, and he has to accept that," Souness said. "I went to the Community Shield and I came away scratching my head. I was thinking 'I hope that's just him not quite ready for the season'. He didn't take part in the game.
"It is five goals in 18 games and it doesn't take a mathematician to work out that his numbers are very poor. For whatever reason, he has not been at it this season and he has to accept that. He doesn't deserve to be in the team."
Salah's comments after Liverpool's draw with Leeds on Saturday have dominated the Premier League news agenda since the game.
Making a rare mixed zone stop at Elland Road, Salah said that he and head coach Slot no longer have a relationship, while also accusing the club of throwing him under the bus by taking him out of the team for recent games.
Salah was told by Slot on Friday that he would be among the substitutes once again versus Leeds, and The Athletic reports that Salah's mood changed upon hearing that news.
His decision to speak to the media after the game in West Yorkshire is said to have came as no surprise to his teammates given his track record of voicing his discontent in public.
However, while many behind the scenes expected that Salah would eventually air his grievances, it was not anticipated that his comments would be quite so extreme.
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