John Aldridge believes that Mohamed Salah doesn't deserve his place in the Liverpool team based on form.
Liverpool face Manchester City on Sunday.
It's the biggest Premier League game of the season and could go a long way in deciding the eventual title winner. Back in October, the teams drew 2-2 at Anfield with Mohamed Salah scoring and assisting Liverpool's goals. Salah scored Liverpool's second after playing in Sadio Mane for the first.
That second goal was world class as he beat two players and scored from an impossible angle.
Salah's importance to Liverpool has never been questioned. He and Virgil Van Dijk are the first two names on the teamsheet for big games. But Salah has struggled lately. After an incredibly busy schedule so far this season, he looks a step slower than before. Klopp subbed Salah off in each of his last two games.
Liverpool won both games comfortably. Salah was probably only withdrawn to preserve his legs for Manchester City. But that's never been Klopp's approach with the forward. Salah has always played huge minutes. He continued to play even after Liverpool had the title wrapped up two years ago.
John Aldridge believes that Salah is struggling for form and even suggests that Liverpool shouldn't start him if picking on form.
"I'll surprise everyone now," Aldridge said.
"At this present moment over the last few games, if you're going by form, Mo [Salah] wouldn't get in the team. As good as he is, as great as he is and as much as we love him, on present form he's struggling."
Of course, Aldridge understands as well as everyone else that you don't just pick players on form. Salah is undroppable for big games. Until his form drops way off and stays there for a long time, he won't be losing his place in the starting lineup. He and Sadio Mane will start, then it's up to one of Roberto Firmino, Diogo Jota or Luis Diaz to win the final place.
Aldridge knows what it's like to be Liverpool's leading striker. He scored 50 goals in 83 games for the club from 1987 to 1989.
He also understands how a striker can turn it on for a big game even when he's been out of form for a couple of games. And it's not like Salah has been a hindrance for Liverpool in recent games. He has just been quiet.
With that said, they'll need him to make some noise if they're going to win on Sunday.
Liverpool are built to beat Manchester City
Football on Off The Ball brought to you by Sky. All the football you love in one place across Sky Sports, BT Sport & Premier Sports.
Download the brand new OffTheBall App in the Play Store & App Store right now! We've got you covered!
Subscribe to OffTheBall's YouTube channel for more videos, like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter for the latest sporting news and content.
