Graeme Souness Labels Mohamed Salah Single Biggest Reason for Liverpool Decline and Urges FSG to Sell Veteran Forward

Graeme Souness claims Mohamed Salah is the "biggest reason" for Liverpool's decline and urges the club to sell the veteran forward this summer.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 21, 2026, 2:44 PM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from Football365

Legendary Captain Traces Roots of Current Meltdown

Graeme Souness has identified Mohamed Salah as the central figure in Liverpool’s inability to defend their Premier League title effectively this season. Speaking to the Daily Mail, the former Reds captain explained that he noticed a significant change in Salah’s physical and tactical impact as early as the Community Shield fixture against Crystal Palace. Souness noted that while he initially expected the veteran to find his rhythm after a few matches, the expected resurgence never materialized, leading to a sustained period of "indifferent" performances that have rippled through the rest of the squad.

Age and Athletic Decline Cited as Irreversible Factors

The critique from Souness centers on the natural physiological decline that affects elite athletes as they enter their mid-thirties. According to the pundit, Salah’s career trajectory has shifted from a slow transition to a sudden drop in output, asserting that the "sparkle" which defined his first seven years at Anfield has vanished. Souness argued that when a player of Salah's stature fails to produce his trademark "ridiculous" goal numbers, it creates a vacuum of leadership and productivity that the younger members of the team are currently struggling to fill.

Psychological Impact on the Wider Liverpool Squad

Beyond the individual statistics, Souness highlighted the negative atmospheric effect of a struggling talisman. He suggested that when the "go-to man" fails to stand up and be counted during difficult periods, it breeds a sense of negativity within the dressing room that others are failing to overcome. This lack of a reliable focal point has reportedly shocked the coaching staff and supporters alike, as the club has historically relied on Salah to change the course of games single-handedly when tactical plans faltered.