JAKARTA - Liverpool played better as a team when Mohamed Salah was not included in the starting XI. It is an explosive claim from former Reds goalkeeper David James, who thinks his former team needs to fire the Egypt forward as soon as possible.

Salah has been the Reds' top scorer this season, scoring 31 goals in all competitions and has been their main player for several years.

Since his arrival from AS Roma in 2017, the Egypt international has scored 125 goals in 203 games.

These goals helped Jurgen Klopp to the Premier League title last season and the Champions League the previous season.

But James believes Liverpool is better off without Salah and must sell him immediately.

"In my eyes, he may be second in the Golden Boot, but I think Liverpool actually played better without Salah," the former Liverpool goalkeeper told Stadium Astro as quoted by the Express, Friday, May 28.

"A chance for Liverpool to maybe cash in on Salah ... as you said, (Diogo) Jota then naturally fits into that three forwards scheme, (Roberto) Firmino gets more freedom.

"Then Liverpool have a new dynamic up front rather than what seems to be dependent on, or has become dependent on, Salah's goals."

When asked if now is the right time to sell Salah, James added: “Yes, tomorrow. I will sell it now. It's not about Mo Salah not being a good player, his goalscoring record speaks for itself.

“Similar in stats to someone like (Sergio) Aguero, where Pep Guardiola can see Man City and doesn't need Aguero.

"I think Liverpool's fluidity was compromised by Salah, even though he scored the goals."


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