Rafael van der Vaart says Mohamed Salah exit could help Liverpool

​Rafael van der Vaart believes the time may have come for Liverpool and Mohamed Salah to go their separate ways for the good of both parties.

The former Tottenham midfielder argued that a summer departure from Anfield could ultimately benefit the club and the Egyptian star. Salah has not hit his previous explosive heights this season, with 7 goals and 8 assists so far, a clear drop from last year’s remarkable return of 34 goals and 23 assists in all competitions.

Speaking to Liverpool.com, Van der Vaart highlighted a clear shift in Salah’s game: “When I watch (Mo) in his position on the pitch, I clearly see that he has lost that extra burst of speed that used to set him apart, and that’s normal with age.”

He added that Salah once blew past defenders with ease, but things now look “completely different”, mainly due to the physical toll of getting older. The Dutchman contrasted attackers with defenders, pointing to Virgil van Dijk as an example of a player who can remain top class even after some underwhelming performances.

Van der Vaart also stressed the pressure that comes with a global superstar. In his view, when a coach feels such a player no longer delivers at the expected level, dropping him becomes a huge story simply because of his status. He concluded that a move in the summer might be the best solution for both Salah and Liverpool.
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