12 hours ago
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Mohamed Salah is in a sulk due to Liverpool's struggles, according to former Chelsea and Leeds forward Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink.
The Dutchman believes last season's main man is finding it hard to adapt as he endures a poor run of form and is no longer the main focal point for his teammates. The Egyptian found the net for the first time in over a month during the Premier League loss to Brentford, and has managed four goals across 13 outings this campaign.
The 33-year-old's return is vastly different from the same period last season, when he maintained a blistering pace to notch 34 goals in 52 matches, while also contributing 23 assists.
Those contributions were sufficient to help Liverpool secure silverware in Arne Slot's maiden campaign at the helm, with the Premier League ace earning a fresh deal following his performances.
The Reds have stumbled in 2025-26, though, and have suffered four consecutive league defeats. They lost again on Wednesday, this time to Crystal Palace in the Carabao Cup.
Hasselbaink believes Slot is still searching for his optimal lineup following considerable transfer activity during the summer window.
Analyzing the side that faced Brentford, he feels his fellow countryman is confronted with several challenges.
The former striker also thinks Salah must accept the reality that his position at Anfield is evolving, with teammates keen to shoulder greater responsibility.
"Slot is looking for his best XI," Hasselbaink said on Sky Sports. "Then, on top of that, Van Dijk is not having his best time.
"Konate is showing some fight, Kerkez has not settled in yet and Bradley is Mr Liverpool but is also still learning the game, and he is playing in a side that is not performing well so you can't expect a young boy to carry the side.
"In the middle, you now have a real No. 10, so you have to play differently. There are so many things that are not right. You have Salah, who is sulking a little bit; a, because he's not playing well... he's also not really the main man anymore. Players like Ekitike have come in.
"Normally, when Salah is open and free, he gets the ball from everyone. Ekitike is going for himself and looking for his own opportunities.
"It is normal for new players because they want to show they are worth the price tag, and they want to show they can play for Liverpool, but the whole concept is not right; it doesn't feel right at the moment.
"It is for Slot to come and make it right, and at the moment, he is struggling with that."
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