Paul Robinson believes that ’s recent dip in form was caused in part by his prolonged contract negotiations with Liverpool.
Salah has been arguably the best player in the world this season, with a remarkable 30 goals and 13 assists in 43 appearances in all competitions so far this campaign, helping the Reds to challenge for an unprecedented quadruple.
However, he did recently endure a goal-scoring drought, failing to find the back of the net from open play in eight games, a run that was ended last Tuesday with a brace in the 4-0 win over .
Various explanations for the dip in form have been given, with some believing it to be burn out after his prolific start to the season, as well as his ultimately disappointing campaigns with Egypt in the Africa Cup of Nations and qualifiers.
But former Tottenham and England goalkeeper Robinson has another theory, telling Football Insider: ‘I don’t think the contract situation was helping him, to be honest with you.
‘It has been a long season for everybody but more so for Salah. He has had the AFCON and the World Cup qualifiers as well. You cannot expect a player to play on that level every single game of the year.
‘There are reasons for why he was not reaching that level. When I say he was not reaching the level I don’t mean he was playing badly.
‘You have to take into account that he was probably the best player in the world for the first half of the season. He set such high standards. His overall season has been incredible.’
Salah’s contract with Liverpool is up at the end of next season and talks about extending the 29-year-old’s stay at Anfield are still on-going.
Reports say the winger is happy to stay at the club but has been unable to agree on wages with the Liverpool hierarchy, with Barcelona significantly interested in snapping up the player on a free.
, .
,  and .
