In the pantheon of Liverpool Football Club, few names carry as much weight as Graeme Souness. A man synonymous with the ruthless, winning machine of the late 70s and early 80s, Souness has never been one to mince words. However, his latest column for the Daily Mail (Article 15661999) has sent shockwaves through Merseyside and beyond. By labeling Mohamed Salah—perhaps the greatest forward in the club’s modern history—as the “single biggest reason” for Liverpool’s lackluster Premier League title defense, Souness has ignited a firestorm that transcends mere punditry.
As the 2025/26 season enters its final stretch, the narrative at Anfield has shifted from a celebration of Arne Slot’s early success to a post-mortem of a fractured dressing room. This is a story of aging legends, tactical dogmas, and the brutal reality of elite football: that no one, not even “The Egyptian King,” is bigger than the institution.
I. The Souness Verdict: Falling Off a Cliff
The crux of Souness’s argument lies in the physiological and psychological decline of a superstar. At 33 going on 34, Salah finds himself at the crossroads that every elite athlete fears.
“In my experience, a career ends in one of two ways,” Souness writes. “It is either a slow, graceful decline or you fall off a cliff. With Mo Salah, we are witnessing the latter.”
Souness reflects on the very beginning of the 2025/26 campaign—the Community Shield against Crystal Palace. Sitting in the stands, the former captain noticed a lack of the explosive “pop” that has defined Salah’s game for seven years. While many attributed his slow start to a need for match fitness, Souness argues that the decline has only accelerated. With just five Premier League goals by March, the statistics back up the eye test: Salah’s output has plummeted compared to the 12 goals and 10 assists he had at the same stage in the previous season.
II. The “Bus” and the Bench: The Arne Slot Fallout
The tension between Salah and head coach Arne Slot reached a breaking point during the winter months. Following a 3-3 draw against Leeds United—a match where Salah was left as an unused substitute—the forward launched an explosive broadside against the club.
Salah’s claim that Liverpool was “throwing him under the bus” to mask wider systemic issues was a rare moment of public dissent from a player usually known for his professionalism. However, Souness viewed this not as a victim’s cry, but as a “toys out of the pram” moment of pure selfishness.
The Tactical Reality of “Slot-ball”
Under Arne Slot, Liverpool has attempted to transition to a more balanced, possession-oriented system that requires every player to be a defensive cog.
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The Problem: For years, Jurgen Klopp allowed Salah to “cheat” defensively, staying high and wide to exploit counter-attacks while the midfield did his “hard yards.”
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The Conflict: Slot demands a high-intensity press from his front three. Souness argues that Salah has become a “liability” in this system because he can no longer—or will no longer—track back.
“When you aren’t scoring and creating, you have to contribute in other ways,” Souness asserts. “If you’re not doing the dirty work, you’re not just a passenger; you’re an anchor dragging the team down.”
III. The Cultural Impact: A Captain’s Perspective
Souness’s irritation stems from what he perceives as a lack of respect for the standards of Liverpool FC. He draws parallels to his own playing days under Joe Fagan, recalling how even Kenny Dalglish—the undisputed king of Anfield—was left out when his form dipped.
The Training Ground Standard
A senior player’s primary responsibility, according to Souness, is to set the pace in training. The revelation that Salah allegedly felt he “didn’t have to fight for his place” because of his past achievements was the ultimate red flag for Souness.
“He should be looking in the mirror,” Souness writes. “It’s not about what you did for the club five years ago; it’s about what you’re going to do in training tomorrow morning. If the star man is coasting, the young players like Rio Ngumoha or Harvey Elliott will think they can too. That is how a winning culture dies.”
IV. The Saudi Shadow and the Summer Exit
The subtext to this entire saga is the looming presence of the Saudi Pro League. With Salah’s contract expiring in 2027 and his relationship with the current management strained, a summer 2026 exit seems not just likely, but necessary for all parties.
Why a Transfer Makes Sense Now:
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Financial Realism: Liverpool can still command a significant fee from Saudi clubs, which would fund the “urgent redevelopment” mentioned by insiders like Richard Hughes.
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Tactical Evolution: Selling Salah allows Slot to build a front line that fits his tactical profile—younger, faster, and more defensively disciplined.
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Legacy Preservation: By leaving this summer, Salah can avoid a protracted, bitter decline and preserve his status as an all-time great.
V. Counter-Argument: Is Souness Being Too Harsh?
While Souness’s critique is grounded in “old school” values, some sections of the fanbase feel he is being overly critical of a player who recently sent Liverpool into the Champions League quarter-finals with a vintage performance against Galatasaray.
Advocates for Salah argue:
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Service Issues: Salah’s dip in numbers is a symptom of a midfield that has struggled to provide the same quality of service as in previous years.
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The “Clutch” Gene: Even at 70% capacity, Salah remains Liverpool’s most likely match-winner in high-stakes European ties.
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Scapegoating: Is it fair to blame one man for a defensive collapse that has seen Liverpool drop to 5th in the table?
VI. The Legacy: Picking an All-Time XI
Despite his scathing criticism, Souness remains objective about Salah’s place in history. He admits that in an all-time Liverpool XI, Salah walks into the team. 200+ goals, a Premier League title, a Champions League trophy, and three Golden Boots are facts that cannot be erased by one bad season.
However, Souness’s point is that Liverpool is an institution, not a museum for past achievements. The club’s most successful periods were defined by the ruthless replacement of legends before they became burdens.
VII. Conclusion: The Long Goodbye
The 2025/26 season will likely be remembered as the “Long Goodbye” for Mohamed Salah. Whether he ends it by hoisting the Champions League trophy in Paris or by quietly slipping away to a lucrative deal in the Middle East, the “Egyptian King” era is drawing to a close.
Graeme Souness’s intervention serves as a cold, hard reminder of the standards required at Anfield. His message to Salah is clear: Look in the mirror, accept the decline, and if you can’t be the player the team needs today, have the grace to move on.
As the spring sun sets over the Mersey, the debate will continue. But one thing is certain: Arne Slot has chosen his path, and it is a path that no longer revolves around the individual brilliance of a fading star. For Liverpool to move forward, they may first have to let go of their greatest hero.