His head is scrambled’ – Liverpool legend criticises star who has ‘given up’

Steve Nicol questions Mo Salah’s desire as burnout fears grow at Liverpool

Liverpool’s early season struggles have been a cause for concern, particularly after a bright start to Arne Slot’s second campaign in charge. Seven games into the Premier League season, the defending champions already look short of rhythm, sharpness and confidence. While the new manager’s tactical clarity remains evident, the execution has faltered, and several senior players have found themselves under the spotlight.

Among them, Mo Salah has drawn the most scrutiny. The Egyptian forward, a player once synonymous with relentless drive and clinical precision, has been accused by former Liverpool defender Steve Nicol of showing signs of fatigue and frustration. After years of carrying the attacking burden, the question being asked is whether burnout has finally caught up with him.

Steve Nicol questions Salah’s commitment

It feels almost sacrilegious to question Mo Salah, a player who has redefined what consistency looks like in modern football. Yet Steve Nicol, speaking on ESPN, did just that. He expressed concern that Salah’s body language and effort levels have dipped, suggesting that he has mentally checked out of games.

“99% of players, when things aren’t going well for them, we understand that it’s fine as long as they work hard,” Nicol told ESPN. “But he seems to be walking around in a daze. Those breaks with Cucurella, Salah is not even thinking about him and why is that?

“It surely cannot be that he doesn’t get it or understand it, and there is certainly no way Arne Slot isn’t telling him to keep an eye on Cucurella as he liked to get forward.

“I’m going to be kind to Mo Salah and we can call it low confidence, but right now his head is scrambled and he is not seeing the clear picture.”

It was a striking assessment from Nicol, who rarely questions the commitment of elite players. His comments reflect a growing debate among fans and pundits: is Salah suffering from a temporary loss of form or something more enduring?

Salah’s recent struggles under Slot

Salah has scored just two goals in the league so far and has struggled to dominate matches in the manner Liverpool supporters have grown accustomed to. His trademark bursts into the box and sharp one-on-one finishes have been scarce. More troubling has been his lack of defensive effort, with Nicol highlighting moments when he appeared disengaged from tracking back.

Slot’s system demands high energy and compact pressing from all wide players. When those demands are not met, the structure collapses. Salah’s output in possession remains technically sharp, but his intensity off the ball appears to have waned. Whether that is physical or psychological remains uncertain.

It is important to remember that Salah has rarely had a full rest. Since joining Liverpool in 2017, he has played an extraordinary number of matches across competitions and continents. Add to that his leadership duties for Egypt and the weight of expectation from millions back home, and it becomes easier to understand why burnout could be creeping in.

Heavy schedule takes its toll

At 33, Salah faces one of the most demanding seasons of his career. Liverpool will compete on multiple fronts once again, including the Champions League, FA Cup and Carabao Cup, while Salah is also expected to lead Egypt at the Africa Cup of Nations and potentially the World Cup next summer.

This relentless schedule brings a physical and mental burden. Every sprint, every duel and every long flight between England and Africa chips away at recovery time. It is no surprise that Liverpool’s staff are being urged to manage his minutes carefully.

For a player who has built his career on durability and drive, acknowledging limits may be difficult. Salah’s hunger and professionalism have been his trademarks, but as Nicol implied, his current body language suggests exhaustion rather than disinterest.

Photo @LFC on X

Slot’s challenge to reignite Salah

Arne Slot’s man-management will now be tested. The Dutchman has proven adept at revitalising players and building unity, but this challenge is different. Salah is not merely out of form, he appears emotionally drained. A period of rotation or a clear conversation about rest and recovery may be required to prevent a deeper decline.

For Liverpool supporters, this period is unsettling. Salah remains a symbol of their modern glory, but football’s greats are human, too. The signs of burnout can often be invisible until performance dips reveal them. Nicol’s comments have shone a light on something that may have been building for months, if not years.

Salah’s story at Liverpool has been one of brilliance, devotion and relentless ambition. Whether this is just a difficult patch or the beginning of a new chapter will depend on how he and Slot respond. What remains certain is that Liverpool’s hopes of defending their crown rest heavily on the shoulders of a player who has given everything for the club.