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Liverpool news: Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane issued warning after Napoli defeat
LIVERPOOL’s forward three risk losing their places if their form does not improve - but they should not be dropped against Manchester City this weekend.
Klopp reacts to Napoli Champions League loss
That is the opinion of former Manchester United midfielder Darren Fletcher.
The Reds’ front line were below par last night as they fell to a late 1-0 defeat away at Napoli.
Jurgen Klopp’s side were unusually flat and failed to muster even a single shot on target.
Roberto Firmino, Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane - who managed a combined 91 goals last season - have been wasteful in recent weeks although they have contributed 10 goals between them across all competitions.
Salah has come in for particular criticism, with Klopp admitting the Egyptian was frustrated at his own performance in the weekend’s top-flight draw with Chelsea but insisted he has no concerns over his star man.
But after another disappointing display in Italy, in which Liverpool could not complain at defeat, there have been growing calls for Klopp to offer chances to Daniel Sturridge and Xherdan Shaqiri.
The pair have impressed in the rare opportunities afforded to them with Sturridge having scored three goals in as many games before coming on for the final minutes of the reverse to Napoli.
Yet Fletcher insists it would be too big a risk for them to come into the team for Liverpool’s mouthwatering showdown with title rivals Manchester City at Anfield this Sunday (4.30pm) because of the threat Firmino, Salah and Mane still pose.
They do have pressure on them now, they do have replacements that they maybe didn’t have last year
“It’s a little bit early for that just yet,” Fletcher - currently in the Championship with Stoke - told BBC Radio 5 Live when asked whether Klopp should mix up his attacking trident.
“It’s going to be very difficult for them [Firmino, Salah and Mane] to repeat that feat that they did last season.
“I still expect them to score plenty of goals. It’s a little bit early for that.
“But they do have pressure on them now, they do have replacements that they maybe didn’t have last year - Sturridge is fit.
“You know, he looks sharp. Shaqiri has brought something to the table as well.
“They’ve got a bench that, if it [their poor form] keeps to continue, that are definitely going to put Salah and Mane and Firmino under a little bit of pressure.
“But they were a massive part of Liverpool’s success so it’s a little bit early for that.”
Liverpool will suffer defeat to Napoli predicts ESPN pundit
And the Scotland international thinks that Liverpool are still in a strong position to progress to the last 16 with a double-header to come against Red Star Belgrade - who lost 6-1 to Paris Saint-Germain last night.
“They would [see those two games as six points],” Fletcher said.
“Going over there [to Serbia] will be difficult, another one of those intimidating crazy atmospheres but they’ll see it as six points.
“Off the back of beating PSG at home, they’ll see that as they’re almost within touching distance - a point - of the knockout stage.
“They almost desperately need six points from the next two games because it would almost see Liverpool through.”