Liverpool’s ongoing struggles to retain their Premier League title have sparked a deeper conversation about the club’s approach to transition and squad management, particularly concerning Mohamed Salah. In the latest edition of the Miguel Delaney: Inside Football newsletter, Delaney examines whether Liverpool’s attachment to last season’s talismanic figure is hindering their ability to evolve into the ruthless, relentless champions needed to defend their crown.
Despite being England’s most decorated football club with 20 top-flight league titles and six Champions League trophies, Liverpool have endured a long-standing challenge when it comes to defending the Premier League title. Their last successful league defense dates back to the 1983-84 season, an era marked by dominant championship runs. Since then, the club has struggled to sustain that level of supremacy. Meanwhile, their rivals, most notably Manchester City under Pep Guardiola, have demonstrated an ability to maintain dominance, with City’s recent 3-0 victory over Liverpool signaling a possible power shift in the current Premier League campaign.
Guardiola’s Manchester City has become the new benchmark for consistency and title retention, reinvigorated after that win and seemingly closing the gap on Arsenal, who were earlier in the season regarded as the “inevitable” champions. This evolving narrative highlights the Premier League’s lack of a true “chase” for the title recently, underscoring the rarity and difficulty of back-to-back triumphs. A crucial lesson from City and from legendary managers like Sir Alex Ferguson — who defined dominance at Manchester United — is that relentless pursuit of success demands tough decisions, including making hard calls on even the most beloved players to prevent complacency.
This context brings the spotlight onto Mohamed Salah, Liverpool’s star forward who has been a pivotal figure for the club over the last several years. Until recently, Salah was arguably the best player in world football, consistently delivering goals and match-winning performances. However, his recent form has been underwhelming, culminating in a disappointing performance against City that reignited debates about his place in the team. Delaney argues that Liverpool’s continued reliance on Salah may be holding them back from becoming the kind of team that can win league after league.
Critically, Salah is now 33 years old, and every dip in form raises questions about his ability to sustain the high standards he once set. This is especially pertinent given the substantial new contract Liverpool awarded him. The question arises: is Salah still worth that investment, or has Liverpool’s emotional attachment to their star player clouded a more pragmatic approach to squad evolution?
Liverpool’s recruitment strategy over the past decade has been widely praised for its intelligence and foresight. Yet, in Salah’s case, the club may have bucked that trend by choosing to retain him rather than selling at a peak moment. Delaney suggests that the smart move would have been to let Salah go during the summer transfer window, capitalizing on his market value and opening the door for fresh talent to integrate into the team’s evolving tactical setup.
Selling Salah at this juncture would have had several advantages. Firstly, the club had just celebrated a Premier League title, which is often the optimal time to refresh a squad and transition players out without fan backlash, especially when coupled with significant investment in new signings—Liverpool spent over £400 million on new players in the summer. Secondly, offloading Salah would have eased the team’s tactical transformation. His style and profile demand the team revolve around him, which can slow the introduction of new playing philosophies and the development of emerging talents.
Delaney draws parallels with Sir Alex Ferguson’s management at Manchester United, where ruthless decisions were made even during turbulent periods. Ferguson’s decision to sell Ruud van Nistelrooy after the 2005-06 season, despite the club not being at its peak, ultimately paved the way for an unprecedented run of three consecutive Premier League titles. Similarly, Liverpool’s historic Boot Room philosophy, which emphasized bold, sometimes harsh choices to maintain competitiveness, appears at odds with their current reluctance to part ways with Salah.
Some may argue that Liverpool’s current phase is one of transition, which justifies retaining Salah as a bridge between the old and new guard. However, Delaney counters that this rationale actually makes holding onto Salah less sensible. The club’s heavy investment in a new forward line signals an intent to evolve, but Salah’s presence complicates this process. His dominant role on the pitch forces the team to adapt around him, hindering the full potential and integration of new