Liverpool fans are realizing the Mohamed Salah paradox

Unsurprisingly, Mohamed Salah has been THE topic of conversation around Anfield this season, as the Liverpool superstar was derided at one point by Jamie Carragher and even a few others around the Premier League for being overrated, selfish, washed, and holding back Liverpool as a club.

Although the Reds remain off the pace of first behind Arsenal in the Premier League, they are showing signs of life again and just made a huge statement against Newcastle United with a 4-1 win at Anfield.

And there to provide a goal contribution was Salah, who also tied the club’s Player of the Season thus far, midfielder Dominik Szoboszlai, for the team lead with three key passes.

Last season, Salah was the best creator and overall player in the Premier League en route to the title, and while he has not been nearly as good this season, Salah has made a clear difference in the results for Liverpool since being reinserted into the starting lineup by under fire manager Arne Slot.

Salah does look way off the pace, literally, when he plays these days. The wear and tear on the 33 year old Liverpool legend’s legs have obviously set in, and he is very poor in one on ones now, unable to dribble past people or explode.

But even though he loses the ball a lot now, he is as good as ever as a creator, and just his presence makes up for a lot. Paradoxically, Liverpool still need Salah in the lineup because of his technical ability and veteran guile, even as he is at his worst as an individual, especially in terms of his speed and athleticism.