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Mohamed Salah has once again found himself in the firing line for his defensive work rate following a less-than-stellar start to the season.
Despite notching up three goals and three assists in 10 appearances so far this campaign, the Liverpool striker hasn't been at his peak as Arne Slot's revamped squad continues to find its footing. Liverpool has suffered defeats in their last three matches, with Salah unable to contribute a goal or assist in any of them. The decision by Slot to bench him for last week's loss against Galatasaray made headlines, and the forward faced further criticism after his performance in Saturday's last-gasp defeat to Chelsea.
Manchester United legend Wayne Rooney criticised the Egyptian after the match, accusing him of "having an ego" and faulting him for not tracking back to defend. Former Liverpool star Danny Murphy has now echoed these sentiments amidst Liverpool's recent dip in form, insisting that Salah needs to contribute more defensively to help his team-mates halt their mini-slump.
"The other issue for anyone playing at right back for the club that is the cover we used to have on that side of the pitch, which last season was Gravenberch, and it hasn't been the same," he told Aceodds. "Liverpool haven't adapted as well when teams get out to our left hand side which was highlighted in the Chelsea game.
"It was an obvious ploy from Chelsea and any full-back Liverpool use will need help when up against high quality wingers.
"If you're going to allow Salah that freedom to not track back, which I understand to a degree, because when you win the ball you've got him on transition in attack who happens to be the best goalscorer Liverpool have, then the midfield has to be quicker at adapting and getting out to the full back area.
"Too many times in the last week on the right side, then the right-back has been isolated. It's something that needs work on the training ground. Or we tell Salah that he's got to do his defending to get the balance right and be harder to beat. It's not like he's incapable of doing the running.
"At the moment, with United next up, I would be saying to him he's got to do his work and help Liverpool be a bit harder to beat. They've shown they can do it against Arsenal, for example."
After Chelsea's victory over Liverpool, Marc Cucurella disclosed that the Blues had intentionally exploited Salah's positioning. Their decisive stoppage-time goal came directly down the Reds' right flank.
"We know that Salah is always ready for the counter-attack so we practiced that and the manager said that the space might be there [on the right side of Liverpool]," the Spaniard told Sky Sports. We saw that it was the last minute, but we kept attacking. I tried to give my last effort and Enzo gave me the ball and I crossed for Estevao."
Salah had earlier disclosed that he had a conversation with Slot about reducing his defensive duties to enhance his contributions in the attacking third. "Now I don't have to defend much," he shared with Sky Sports after Liverpool secured the Premier League title in April.
"It is quite difficult to say one thing, but the tactics are quite different. But I told him (Slot), 'As long as you rest me defensively, I will provide offensively' - so I'm glad I did. It was the manager's idea, of course, but he listens a lot.
"He's the manager, of course, but he listens a lot, so I spoke to him and he bought the idea. You can see the numbers!"
"To be fair it's quite tricky, because when you play in the Premier League you have to defend also your left-back. But I spoke to him and told him; 'I can gamble somehow - a little bit here or there - but when we get the ball I'm always free, so then I can make the difference.'
"I think my number of assists also shows that. It's not only about goals, it's also about creating chances and just making a difference for the team."
Salah had a remarkable season for Liverpool in 2024/2025, netting 34 goals and providing 23 assists in his 52 appearances across all competitions, propelling the Reds to Premier League triumph.
However, with Slot's team currently struggling to regain that form this season, despite being just one point behind Arsenal at the top of the table, Salah's defensive contributions will continue to be under the microscope.
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