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Former Watford striker Troy Deeney has issued a scathing critique of Mohamed Salah, raising questions about the Liverpool star’s attitude and his potential to be remembered as a club legend.
While acknowledging Salah’s undeniable skill, Deeney argued that the forward’s overall impact does not align with the standards of an all-time great at Liverpool.
Deeney points to Salah’s leadership
He highlighted what he perceives as Salah’s inconsistent leadership, contrasting it with the steadfast presence of teammate Virgil van Dijk. Deeney noted that unlike Van Dijk, who regularly steps up during tough times, Salah often seems to disappear when the team struggles.
Furthermore, Deeney criticized Salah’s public behavior, suggesting that some of his actions this season have caused unnecessary distractions within the squad.
He cited past incidents of reported disagreements with former manager Jürgen Klopp and mentioned recent tensions under current manager Arne Slot as examples.
“Not the full package”
Despite Salah’s goal-scoring record, Deeney insisted that greatness at a club like Liverpool requires more than individual output.
He argued that being a “figurehead” involves consistent accountability and influence beyond performances on the pitch; areas where he believes Salah has fallen short.
Deeney also dismissed comparisons between Salah and Thierry Henry, calling such debates unfounded given the broader criteria used to judge elite players.
Pressure on Liverpool dressing room
The former Watford striker suggested that Salah’s behaviour could have wider implications within the squad, particularly at a time when Liverpool are dealing with inconsistent form and internal pressure.
He noted that players like Curtis Jones have publicly addressed issues around physicality and mentality, raising questions about collective responsibility.
Deeney concluded that Slot should be assessed more fairly once off-field distractions are reduced, implying that Salah’s situation has complicated the manager’s second season.