Ex-Liverpool player and manager Graeme Souness is concerned that Mo Salah’s bumper new contract may have affected the Egyptian international’s form.

Both Mesut Ozil and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s performances dropped markedly after signing similar deals at Arsenal, and Souness is hoping that Salah isn’t heading down the same path:

“I mentioned Salah at the weekend, and I hope I’m wrong when I’m saying this because hopefully he saw it at the weekend and gets angry with me and says I’m going to prove him wrong. I just hope it’s not the case with him that he’s signed a new contract and he’s got in his armchair. I say that because think of Ozil and Aubameyang at Arsenal, that’s exactly what happened with them and a big contract.”

Souness is being slightly premature about Salah’s form. The 30-year-old has only played seven games so far this campaign and his return of three goals and three assists isn’t exactly that bad.

Of course, the forward has set such high standards with his displays in the past that it is very noticeable when he isn’t performing at his best.

You do, though, also need to take into account that Liverpool’s front three has undergone an overhaul. The arrival of Luis Diaz and Darwin Nunez since the beginning of the year means Salah still needs time to gel with his new teammates.

After a poor start to the season, fans will be hoping that an understanding between the Egyptian and the rest of the forward line develops sooner rather than later.