Mohamed Salah shares fresh thoughts on his Liverpool contract, while a decision is required regarding Ryan Gravenberch’s future.
If winning the Premier League was purely about desire, Mohamed Salah would have been crowned champion months ago. Few players have ever shown such an intense hunger for the title.
Calling Salah a man on a mission would be an understatement. But what sets him apart is how he consistently turns that determination into decisive contributions—making him the key figure in Liverpool’s push for their 20th league title. Once again, he marked another match with a milestone, setting a club record by scoring his 15th away league goal in a single Premier League season—surpassing Luis Suárez’s tally from 2013/14.
Salah’s influence extended beyond scoring, as he assisted Trent Alexander-Arnold’s equalizer in the second half. His current tally of 29 goals and 20 assists in 37 appearances is simply remarkable. While Diogo Jota and Darwin Núñez struggled at crucial moments—something Liverpool will hope doesn’t prove costly—Salah continues to deliver. Now, about that contract renewal…
Jones Makes His Case
Liverpool boss Arne Slot hasn’t made too many surprising selections this season—aside from leaving players at home. But eyebrows were raised when Curtis Jones was chosen over Luis Díaz, leaving no natural left winger in the lineup.
With Liverpool having faded in the second half against Wolves, it was surprising that there weren’t more changes. Yet, Jones’ inclusion proved to be a partial success, thanks to his relentless work rate. He was most effective in the first half when drifting centrally, creating a chance for Dominik Szoboszlai and firing a shot wide. After the break, his ability to retain possession helped Liverpool build attacks, particularly before their equalizer.
Among the other midfielders, Szoboszlai and Alexis Mac Allister worked hard but struggled for consistency, while Ryan Gravenberch once again failed to make a sustained impact. The Dutchman looks in need of a rest, and Jones, after a lively cameo at Goodison Park, has made a strong case for another start.
Defensive Concerns
The old saying goes that defenses win titles, but Liverpool’s backline has recently been a weak link. They’ve conceded five goals in their last three matches, raising concerns about their solidity.
While Aston Villa was largely contained in the first half, Liverpool was undone by a set-piece and, more worryingly, by failing to close down Lucas Digne, allowing him to cross for an unmarked Ollie Watkins to score. Similar issues arose against Wolves, where an insistence on playing out from the back—though praised by Slot—invited unnecessary pressure.
Individually, the defensive performances weren’t alarming. Ibrahima Konaté balanced aggression with smart positioning, while Virgil van Dijk stepped up in the second half. Andy Robertson, lively on both ends of the pitch, justified his selection over Kostas Tsimikas. However, Liverpool must improve collectively at the back if they want to stay in the title race.
