Liverpool FC is currently riding high with their recent performances as they gear up for the Champions League second leg against Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) on March 12. Although the Reds secured a tight 1-0 victory against PSG thanks to Harvey Elliott's late goal and Alisson Becker's outstanding saves, concerns about key player Mohamed Salah's recent form persist.
Since their FA Cup defeat to Plymouth Argyle, Liverpool has maintained their stronghold within the season’s competitions, showing impressive form. Despite some shaky outings, including the recent match against Southampton where they trailed 1-0 at halftime, they managed to dominate the game, winning 3-1. Salah's contributions include two penalties, but his overall performance, as noted by pundit John Aldridge, has fallen short of expectations.
Speaking on the Blood Red Podcast, Aldridge assessed Salah's recent match against PSG, criticizing the talented forward for what he perceives as lackluster performances. “Now, if he wants to be a Ballon d’Or winner, which I’d love him to get, he can’t play like he did last Wednesday. You know, he was just nothing, nothing more, nothing. He didn’t win one challenge, he was really poor,” Aldridge expressed.
Salah’s statistics from the match against PSG were particularly alarming. He recorded no shots, no key passes, and no successful dribbles, standing starkly against his season averages of 3.7 shots, 2.4 key passes, and 1.8 dribbles per game. Following this performance, Liverpool fans and critics alike are left to wonder if his contract situation—set to expire this summer—may be affecting his game.
Though Salah's numbers improved against Southampton, where he landed five shots and six key passes, his form raises eyebrows as the Champions League home fixture approaches. Aldridge cautioned against complacency and emphasized the importance of Salah redeeming himself to clinch the prestigious Ballon d'Or.
Meanwhile, emotions run high as Liverpool readies for the showdown at Anfield, with PSG’s players expressing confidence after their previous match, something Aldridge finds offensive. “You’re looking at a club which has never won a big trophy, so to come out and say what they did post-match… They should have won, but they didn’t. We sucker-punched them. They have shown such disrespect to us and Anfield,” he stated, hoping for passionate support from Liverpool fans.
The Reds are anticipated to leverage Anfield’s renowned atmosphere to their advantage when facing PSG, who might be unwittingly agitating Liverpool’s players and supporters with their pre-match comments. Aldridge has highlighted the need for Liverpool to dominate individual battles on the field to secure victory.
Recent history favors Liverpool at home, where they have won seven out of their last eight European matches. The iconic Anfield experience has always been noted for inspiring the team to perform at heightened levels, contributing to significant victories against top teams like Real Madrid and Bayer Leverkusen.
Looking beyond the PSG tie, Liverpool’s upcoming fixtures are equally significant. Following their European clash, they face Newcastle United on March 16, 2025, for the EFL Cup final, adding more fuel to the competitive atmosphere surrounding the team. Currently, they sit 15 points clear at the top of the league, positioning themselves firmly as title contenders.
Salah’s season has been nothing short of exceptional, boasting 32 goals and 22 assists across competitions, including 27 goals and 17 assists within the league alone. While fans celebrate his achievements, there is collective hope for Salah to recapture his peak form as he aims for prestigious individual honors.
Overall, with their Champions League second leg and the impending EFL Cup final, the upcoming weeks are poised to be pivotal for both Salah and Liverpool. All eyes will be on the players to see if they can deliver under pressure and maintain their exceptional form to close out the season strongly.