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Former Arsenal midfielder Emmanuel Petit has joined the growing number of voices suggesting Mohamed Salah is missing Trent Alexander-Arnold, having suggested the Liverpool winger is “suffering” following the latter’s move to Real Madrid.
After a brilliant 2024/25 season, in which Salah won the PFA Player’s Player of the Year award among other accolades, the Egyptian has found things harder at the start of the current campaign.
The 33-year-old has three goals and three assists from 10 appearances for his club so far, although he hasn’t produced a goal contribution in his last three outings - a run which has seen Liverpool lose against Crystal Palace, Galatasaray and Chelsea.
Salah’s slump in form has led a number of pundits, including Gary Lineker, to suggest that he is missing playing alongside Alexander-Arnold, who left for Madrid during the summer.
Giving his thoughts on the situation, Petit agrees that the England international’s departure has affected Salah, as well as the influx of new players during the transfer window.
"The understanding between Trent and Salah on the right flank was excellent,” Petit told Boyle Sports, who offer the latest football betting odds.
“Trent supported Salah with his passing, and they seemed to play with a telepathic connection, understanding each other's movements very well.
"Yes, I believe he is suffering from that loss, but as I said, this is in the past. With new signings, it takes time.
"When you join big clubs like Liverpool, especially as the reigning champions, it's very difficult for new signings to integrate. This reminds me of welcoming new players to the national team after winning the World Cup and Euros, it was very challenging for them to adapt to the dressing room.
"I spoke with some players last week about this, and they said how difficult it was for them. I can understand the situation, especially with the added pressure of a price tag on their shoulders. Salah has likely missed Alexander-Arnold, but I think he's truly missed the way Liverpool has played for years."
Salah will hope he can rediscover some of his best form when Liverpool returns to action against Manchester United on Sunday following the international break.
The winger has scored more goals against the Red Devils than any other club, although Arne Slot doesn’t believe that will make a difference.
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“I think it should not matter who we are playing on Sunday,” Slot said in his press conference on Friday.
“If you’ve lost three games in a row, when you wear the Liverpool shirt, it doesn’t matter who your opponent is, you have to react.
“If there’s one thing I cannot blame the players for, it’s that they give everything they have every single game. They go all in from the first till the last minute, this is what we did in the last three games as well.
“In all three games, we had to come back from being 1-0 down, in two games we managed to do so, but unfortunately lost in the end where we were having chances in both games, maybe more than our opponent, to win it.
“But if you’ve lost three in a row, it doesn’t matter if Man United is coming or Brentford next week, there should always be a reaction. Not only from Mo, from all the players.”
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