Noel Whelan

Sat 16 April 2022 9:34, UK

Mohamed Salah’s international “disappointments” may be behind his barren goalscoring run for Liverpool, according to Noel Whelan.

The former Leeds striker, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, claimed the 29-year-old is “lacking confidence” at present.

Salah, who scored 11 goals in the first nine league games of the season, has netted just once in his last eight games in all competitions.

As quoted by the Liverpool Echo (15 April), manager Jurgen Klopp suggested the winger is struggling after enduring “the most intense period in his whole career” in January.

Salah’s Egypt side lost on penalties against Senegal in the African Cup of Nations final in February – before losing out on World Cup qualification against the same opponent last month, also after spot-kicks.

Whelan insisted the forward still has the ability to “change a game” for Liverpool.

“He’s lost that goalscoring form that we saw at the start of the season,” he told Football Insider‘s Russell Edge.

“I think this bad run started when he went off to the African Cup of Nations and that disappointment, as well as the disappointment of not qualifying for the World Cup, has just taken its toll.

“All those things can come into play.

“There’s confidence lacking, for sure. But he’s still a player who can turn up, score goals, and change a game for Liverpool.

“He may say he’s not bothered about scoring goals, but I can guarantee – deep down, he will be. Goals give confidence, and he is a player who thrives on that.”

Salah leads the Premier League scoring charts despite his recent lean spell.

The former Roma star has netted 20 top-flight strikes, with 17-goal Tottenham hitman Heung-min Son his closest competitor.

In other news, pundit claims Liverpool stars will feel the wrath of Jurgen Klopp after “strange” development.