Jamie Carragher Salah rotation Liverpool
Former Liverpool defender and football pundit Jamie Carragher has suggested that star forward Mohamed Salah should not be starting every game for Liverpool, especially as the club looks to manage squad rotation and long-term fitness across multiple competitions.
Speaking on Sky Sports after Liverpool’s 2–1 victory over Aston Villa, Carragher said that while Salah remains one of the most consistent attackers in world football, the 32-year-old Egyptian should be rested more frequently to maintain sharpness and avoid burnout.
“Salah is still world-class, but he doesn’t have to start every single game,” Carragher said. “Liverpool have enough attacking depth now — with the likes of Díaz, Núñez, and Jota — to give him a breather when needed. The team has to think long-term, especially with how intense Klopp’s football is.”
‘He’s human, not a machine’
Carragher noted that Salah’s style of play and high work rate demand proper load management, particularly as he continues to age and faces a packed fixture calendar involving the Premier League, Europa League, and domestic cups.
“He’s human, not a machine,” the former Liverpool vice-captain added. “You can’t expect him to keep playing 90 minutes twice a week and still be at his best every weekend. Even the greats need rest to stay at the top level.”
Salah’s continued influence
Despite Carragher’s comments, Salah remains one of Liverpool’s most crucial players this season, already contributing multiple goals and assists. His consistency since joining from Roma in 2017 has made him one of the Premier League’s most prolific forwards.
Under Jürgen Klopp, Salah has scored over 200 goals for Liverpool, helping the club win the Premier League, Champions League, FA Cup, and Club World Cup.
However, recent performances have sparked debate among fans and pundits, with some noting that Salah’s explosiveness appears to have slightly waned compared to his early Liverpool years.
Liverpool’s attacking evolution
Liverpool have been gradually evolving their attack, with Darwin Núñez, Luis Díaz, Diogo Jota, and Cody Gakpo offering flexibility and fresh energy.
Carragher argued that Klopp should take advantage of this depth to preserve Salah’s effectiveness for decisive fixtures later in the season.
“If Liverpool want Salah to keep performing for the next two or three years, they’ll need to manage him smartly,” Carragher said. “Rotating him isn’t a punishment — it’s good management.”
Klopp’s approach
Manager Jürgen Klopp has previously dismissed suggestions that Salah might be overplayed, insisting that the forward’s fitness levels remain exceptional.
However, he also acknowledged that rotation could become necessary as the season progresses and Liverpool’s fixture list intensifies.
“Mo loves to play — he never wants to come off,” Klopp told reporters earlier this season. “But of course, we have to be sensible as the season goes on.”
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