Liverpool are set to return to Premier League action in their match against archrivals Manchester United on October 19 at Anfield.
With defeats in their last two league games after maintaining a five-match winning streak, the Reds are currently second in the top flight with 15 points, with a one-point difference with table-toppers Arsenal.
While Liverpool made an impressive start to the season, concerns and questions over the Reds' talisman, Mohamed Salah, whose goal contributions have slightly decreased this term in comparison to his incredible tally in past campaigns.
Salah has registered three goals and three assists in 10 appearances across competitions for Liverpool so far this season.
Now, Liverpool icon Jamie Carragher has backed Salah, asking critics to 'not write him off too soon' while drawing a comparison between the Egyptian star and Portuguese icon Cristiano Ronaldo.
What did Carragher say about Liverpool's Mo Salah?
Carragher spoke about Salah's prevailing importance in the Reds squad while claiming that the 33-year-old star has 'similar traits' to that of Ronaldo, 'with regards to his mental toughness and determination,' and wrote in his column for The Telegraph,
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"Liverpool have been basking in the glow of the Mohamed Salah era for the past seven years. The next seven weeks will give us an indication as to how much longer that will last. Salah is off form, the goals have dried up, and he does not look the same player as last season."
"If Liverpool are to retain the title, he needs to sharpen up before December's African Cup of Nations, thus ensuring he is as indispensable as ever to Arne Slot when he gets back. There are valid causes for concern following recent performances."
"There are also valuable lessons from Salah's career which serve as a warning to those prematurely predicting a decline. Do not write off Salah too soon because he has a habit of making criticism look silly."
"Salah has similar traits to Cristiano Ronaldo with regards to his mental toughness and determination to extend his career at the top and keep chasing records and trophies. The more he is doubted, the more he responds where it matters on the pitch.
Carragher further spoke about Salah's excellent numbers against Man United ahead of the Northwest derby and added,
"If there is one club which will fear negative appraisals of Salah's form more than any, it is this weekend's visitors to Anfield, Manchester United. Salah's record versus United is extraordinary. He has scored 16 times against Liverpool's historic rivals. No team has suffered more against him. His all-time tally in this fixture is seven more than any player for either club, enhancing his reputation as the man for the big occasion."
Since he arrived at Anfield from Roma in 2017, Salah has netted a total of 248 goals and provided 116 assists in 411 appearances across all competitions for Liverpool.
Liverpool and Man United have both won 12 league games each at Anfield so far, making the first Northwest derby of the season on Sunday a potential chance for both sides to increase their respective win tally in this historic rivalry.
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