Dejan Lovren's blunt assessment: Some pundits are going to be 'sick' of seeing what Mohamed Salah has achieved.
Mohamed Salah's triumphant return to the Liverpool squad against Brighton & Hove Albion this past Saturday has caused quite a stir. After a conversation with Arne Slot on Friday, it was decided Salah would be a substitute, but the ongoing right-back issues meant he was called into action during the first half.
While he missed a couple of scoring opportunities, Salah's assist to Hugo Ekitike helped Liverpool secure a 2-0 victory at Anfield. This assist is more than just a goal; it's a milestone, solidifying Salah's place in Premier League history.
With 277 goals and assists for Liverpool, he has surpassed Wayne Rooney's 276 for Manchester United, setting a new record for a single Premier League team.
Salah celebrated this achievement on Instagram, sharing a list of players with the most goals and assists at one club in the top flight. Several current and former Liverpool stars, including Jordan Henderson and Ryan Gravenberch, commented on the post.
But here's where it gets controversial... Former Reds defender Dejan Lovren wrote, 'some pundits will get sick looking at this.'
This highlights the mixed reactions to Salah's performance, especially from those who are critical.
Jamie Carragher has been vocal in his criticism of the Liverpool forward. Wayne Rooney also weighed in after a 3-0 defeat to Manchester City, suggesting Salah needs to contribute more defensively. Rooney stated, "In big games, you have to double up. You have to get back and help your teammate." He pointed out the pressure on Conor Bradley and the need for Salah to support his teammate.
Lovren, however, has made his feelings clear, mocking those who want Salah to do more defensive work. In the same Instagram post, he wrote, 'Nah, not good enough, you need to cover full back,' followed by a squinting face with tongue emoji.
This brings up a key question: Is Salah's offensive contribution enough to offset any perceived defensive shortcomings?
Considering Salah's record:
* 421 appearances
* 250 goals
* 114 assists
What are your thoughts? Do you agree with Lovren, or do you side with the critics? Let's hear your take in the comments below!
