Sam Allardyce labels Salah a ‘big kid,’ urges Egypt star to take responsibility at Liverpool

Former England manager Sam Allardyce has delivered a blunt assessment of Mohamed Salah, criticizing the Liverpool winger’s recent behaviour and calling on him to accept responsibility for his dip in form.

Allardyce’s comments come after Salah appeared visibly frustrated following his substitution in Liverpool’s recent Premier League outing against Nottingham Forest F.C.. The former Bolton and West Ham boss suggested that Salah’s reaction has become a concern for the club.

“Mohamed Salah has to take responsibility, sit down, and make sure he starts scoring goals,” Allardyce said in remarks published by Goal.com.

He added that the Egyptian forward should avoid directing frustration toward manager Arne Slot, insisting that performance levels must improve.

“He needs to stop blaming Arne Slot when he is the reason for not scoring goals and being substituted. He can’t be frustrated about being taken off when he isn’t scoring or creating chances,” Allardyce stated.

The 69-year-old went further, describing Salah’s body language as counterproductive. “It feels like a psychological barrier. It’s no longer just a passing phase — it’s the whole season. He is a concern for Liverpool and for himself personally. He needs to stop showing his dissatisfaction on the pitch. He should knock on the manager’s door and speak privately. Doing it publicly makes him look like a big kid.”

Allardyce also weighed in on squad management, suggesting that easing players back into form from the bench can sometimes be more effective than starting them outright. He argued that introducing a player later in matches, when tempo drops and spaces open up, can help rebuild confidence.

Despite the criticism, Salah remains one of Liverpool’s most influential figures. However, Allardyce’s remarks underline the pressure on elite players to deliver consistently, and to handle setbacks with composure, as Liverpool push through a demanding campaign under Slot’s leadership.