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John Obi Mikel Explains Mohamed Salah’s Dip in Form at Liverpool

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Arne Slot‘s defending champions have lost pace on the title race as their 3-2 defeat to Brentford left them seven points behind table-topping Arsenal – and their dip in form coincides with Mohamed Salah firing blanks. And ex-Chelsea midfielder John Obi Mikel, speaking on The Obi One podcast, has given a theory on why the Egyptian is no longer at the races for the Merseysiders.

Now 33 years of age and enjoying the swansong of his career, Salah has been an ever-reliable presence in front of goal for the club since his arrival in the summer of 2017: he’s plundered 249 strikes and 116 assists in 414 matches at the time of writing. This season, though, things are yet to click for a player so typically potent in the final third.

In fact, thus far, it has been a season of struggle for all associated with the Anfield outfit. They have lost six of their last seven games in all competitions – their solitary win coming against Eintracht Frankfurt in the Champions League – and were recently beaten 5-0 by Crystal Palace in the League Cup. Should Liverpool part ways with Slot, Oliver Glasner is among the favourites to replace him.

Mohamed Salah – Club Statistics

Club

Games

Goals

Assists

Liverpool

414

249

116

AS Roma

83

34

21

FC Basel 1893

79

20

14

El Mokawloon SC

45

12

6

Fiorentina

26

9

4

Chelsea

19

2

3

Obi Mikel Provides Theory for Salah’s Dip in Form This Season

Mohamed Salah

In terms of what Salah – who is coming under intense scrutiny – can provide the Dutch tactician and his entourage, just look at last season’s numbers as inspiration and it, therefore, shouldn’t come as much of a surprise if he returns to his goalscoring best in a few weeks’ time. As of the end of October, his 2025/26 tally stands at seven (four goals and three assists) in 13 outings.

The 106-cap, 61-goal Egypt international did manage to find the back of the net late on against Brentford – but his goal was merely a consolation as the Bees ran out 3–2 victors in what was the Reds’ fourth Premier League loss on the bounce. Since September 27, Liverpool have lost more games than any other side in Europe’s top five leagues in all competitions (six).

His goal contribution aside, Salah has fallen into the habit of being anonymous in games with him often relying on the brilliance of summer addition Hugo Ekitike and left winger Cody Gakpo, who have been two of Liverpool’s standout performers since the campaign got underway in August.

On Salah’s substandard form of late, the ex-Chelsea ace pointed at Diogo Jota‘s passing as a potential reason why the 33-year-old – who is widely regarded as one of the most disappointing Premier League players of the 2025/26 campaign alongside teammates Florian Wirtz, Alexander Isak and Milos Kerkez – is no longer his rampant self.

“I heard Mo Salah was very close to [Diogo] Jota. He doesn’t look like himself… he looks like a shadow of his former self. So, I will be very careful and very calm when criticising this Liverpool team. Yes, they are not playing well right now, but let’s not forget what happened in the summer.”

Jota, at the age of 28, sadly passed away across the summer months as he was enjoying some downtime in Zamora, Spain. He was travelling in a Lamborghini on one of the country’s most dangerous roads – and he left the road due to a tyre blowout while overtaking. The accident, which also claimed the life of his brother, Andre Silva, was fatal.

“Let’s not forget that a massive tragedy happened at the club that nobody expected,” Obi Mikel continued on his podcast before adding, “As footballers, we spend more time with our teammates than with our own families, because we are together in the dressing room every single day.

diogo jota mohamed salah

“Losing such a massive figure is always going to affect these players. It doesn’t matter how well they started the season or how talented they are – something like this hits you emotionally, and it stays with you. For me, whatever is happening at the club, the emotion is still very raw.”

Slot – who became just the fifth manager to win the Premier League title in his first season in 2024/25 – has downplayed Salah’s early campaign slump and backs him to return to his best. “His missed chances? I don’t know if it’s really about form. Generally, players miss chances. He’s only human. We’re not used to seeing him miss opportunities, especially not over several matches, but it happens.

“The main thing is Mo has always scored goals for our club. The last thing I’m worried about is that, because Mo has done this his entire life, and that’s what I expect from him.”

All statistics per Transfermarkt – correct as of 31/10/2025

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Arsenal Want to Sign £52m Bayern Munich Target Nathaniel Brown

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Arsenal are showing interest in Eintracht Frankfurt left-back Nathaniel Brown, according to The Athletic.

The Gunners paraded their Premier League title through the streets of North London on Sunday afternoon as they celebrated a successful season under Mikel Arteta.

Arsenal missed out on Champions League glory after losing on penalties to reigning champions Paris Saint-Germain. However, the North London outfit will be keen to build on the 2025-26 campaign as they prepare to defend their league title.

The Gunners are looking to strengthen their squad this summer as they look to maintain their status as one of the best sides in Europe.

Arsenal interested in Nathaniel Brown

Nathaniel Brown

Brown, 22, is ‘expected’ to leave Eintracht Frankfurt this summer and according to The Athletic he is wanted by both Bayern Munich and Arsenal.

The left-back is part of Julian Nagelsmann’s Germany World Cup squad and can also play as a left-sided forward. It has been reported Frankfurt will look for around £52m to part ways with the player.

His performances at the World Cup have the potential to bump his price tag up.

Earlier this season, Nagelsmann described the player as “very fast, creative, and very composed on the ball”.

He made 42 appearances for Frankfurt in all competitions in the most recent campaign, with four goals and six assists.

Brown played at left-back 20 times and in left midfield 16 times while on three occasions he was used as left winger. He also filled in at right-back and centre midfield on a handful of occasions.

If Arsenal did make a firm move for the player, he could offer versatility to Arteta. He has previously been linked to Premier League rivals Manchester United.

Nathaniel Brown poised for key Germany role at World Cup

Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann singing the national anthem

Brown came off the bench twice during Germany’s World Cup qualification campaign but the most recent international break suggests the player has moved himself up the pecking order.

Speaking back in March, Nagelsmann said Germany “expect a lot of him” and that “his time will come soon.”

During the friendlies in March, Brown started both games as Germany beat Ghana 2-1 and hammered Finland 4-0 – suggesting he is set to form a key part of the squad for the tournament which starts next week.

Arsenal already have strong options at left-back with Riccardo Calafiori and Myles Lewis-Skelly, although the latter is a midfielder by trade.

Leandro Trossard and Gabriel Martinelli are the left-forward options. It is unclear how Brown would fit into Arteta’s plans.

He can offer the versatility of playing anywhere on the left while a potential move to North London could see Lewis-Skelly be used more regularly in his natural midfield position.


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Liverpool Working on ‘Fast’ Deal for Diomande, He’s Iraola’s Next Semenyo

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Liverpool are closing in on appointing Andoni Iraola as their new manager with an agreement already reached between the two parties.

Liverpool chiefs will have tasked the former Bournemouth boss with turning their fortunes around following a tough season on and off the pitch at Anfield.

The Reds produced a miserable defence of their Premier League title as they finished fifth and 25 points behind champions Arsenal, although they faced the heartbreaking loss of Diogo Jota, while club-record signing Alexander Isak was impacted by injury throughout the campaign.

Meanwhile, Iraola led the Cherries to sixth and Europa League football, following an outstanding second half of the season on the south coast.

The 43-year-old arrives at Anfield as one of the best young coaches in European football, and a manager who is brilliant tactically and loves to play the high-intensity football that Reds supporters love.

While Liverpool still have a lot of good players in their ranks, there will be changes this summer, with some enforced after the departures of Mohamed Salah, Andy Robertson and Ibrahima Konate this summer.

Incomings are on their way, especially in attacking areas where there is a shortage of quality and depth after Salah’s exit.

Romano: Liverpool In Talks Over ‘Fast’ Yan Diomande Deal

Yan Diomande

Liverpool’s priority is to sign a replacement for Salah this summer, and RB Leipzig sensation Yan Diomande has emerged as one of their top targets to replace the Egyptian on the right after a breakthrough campaign for the Bundesliga outfit.

The 19-year-old scored 13 goals and registered a further 10 assists this term for Leipzig, which are impressive numbers for a teenager, and reports in Germany have suggested that the club value him at up to £130m.

As well as his goal contribution numbers, Diomande has also impressed with his pressing intensity and his work rate, which prove he is a team player despite being someone who causes nightmares for defenders.

Romano has issued the latest on Liverpool’s pursuit of Diomande, who is also a target for Paris Saint-Germain, on his YouTube channel, with the player’s representatives wanting a deal wrapped up before the World Cup begins on June 11.

He said: “Liverpool are in negotiations. They are on it, for sure. PSG are also speaking with the player’s camp. The battle is on.

“I can tell you the preference on the player side is to do the deal fast before the start of the World Cup so Diomande can go to the World Cup without thinking. They will try to accelerate the deal before the World Cup.

“It will depend on Leipzig. It is never easy to negotiate with them but Liverpool and PSG are both working on it.”

Diomande Would be Iraola’s Next Semenyo

Antoine Semenyo
Antoine Semenyo

Semenyo exploded under Iraola at the Vitality Stadium prior to his move to Manchester City, scoring 10 Premier League goals this season before his transfer in the January window.

Like Diomande, Semenyo showed he could play on both flanks during his time with Bournemouth, and he caused big issues for his opponents.

Germany-based journalist Seb Stafford-Bloor is someone who has watched a lot of Diomande during the 2025-26 campaign, and he even said himself that the Ivorian ‘reminds me of Semenyo’.

It appears as though Diomande isn’t going to come cheap this summer, but he has the attributes to thrive under Iraola at Anfield if a move does materialise.

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Gilberto Silva Ranked Gerrard, Lampard and Scholes From Worst to Best

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One of the biggest debates in English football, one that still rages today, is who was the better player: Paul Scholes, Steven Gerrard or Frank Lampard? The question is one that has split opinions throughout the sport, with fans, players and pundits offering their takes on the subject.

All three shone in the Premier League. Scholes represented Manchester United and was key to their success throughout the 1990s and 2000s, Gerrard was Liverpool through and through, guiding the Merseyside club to the promised land on multiple occasions throughout the 2000s and 2010s, and Lampard first impressed at West Ham United before becoming a Chelsea legend, known for his goalscoring exploits as the Blues wrestled control of the Premier League from United during the 2000s and 2010s.

All three were very different kinds of players, but they’ve been compared to one another for two decades now. Former Arsenal midfielder Gilberto Silva was the latest former player to give his opinion on the trio and he ranked them from worst to best during an appearance on the podcast, From My Left.


Steven Gerrard, Paul Scholes and Frank Lampard


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Gilberto’s Ranking of Scholes, Gerrard and Lampard

During his appearance on the From My Left podcast, Gilberto was tasked with ranking Patrick Vieira with Scholes, Gerrard and Lampard. The Brazilian wasted no time ranking his former teammate in first place, before then moving onto the English trio. In first place, he picked Scholes.

The two did battle during Arsenal’s rivalry with United in the early 2000s, with the two teams competing for the Premier League title. The ex-Gunner even went on to describe Scholes as the toughest player he ever had to face off against. Speaking about the former United star, he said:

“He was very smart. Every time I had to face him in the middle, the challenge, he was very smart. These players raise your game and you have to raise your standard to face them.”

Scholes is considered the best midfielder in Premier League history, so there won’t be many who disagree with Gilberto’s decision to rank him ahead of Gerrard and Lampard. In second place, he picked the Liverpool man. Over the years, Gerrard earned a reputation for his ability to lead Liverpool through the toughest of circumstances. He is beloved by the Reds faithful and there aren’t many fans of the club who would choose anyone over him.

Lampard Chosen Last, But Certainly Not Least

Frank-Lampard-Chelsea-2010

Lampard came last in Gilberto’s ranking. The former Chelsea man is the greatest goalscoring midfielder in Premier League history. He became the first player in his position to score at least 10 league goals in 10 straight seasons and always stepped up to the plate when the Blues needed it most.

He was a fierce competitor and was also a dependable leader, always rising to the occasion when John Terry was unavailable, such as in the 2012 Champions League final.


Andoni Iraola


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