Mohamed Salah has been told to up his game by one MOTD pundit (Image: Getty)
Micah Richards has warned Mohamed Salah that he needs to start producing more for Liverpool this season. After all, the pundit is banking on Arne Slot's talisman to fire his team to Fantasy Premier League glory come May.
Many at Anfield would agree Salah has done more than his fair share for Liverpool this term, having had 11 goal involvements (six goals, five assists) in only nine games. However, it hasn't been sufficient to appease Richards.
Alan Shearer was forthcoming with praise for Salah's ability to do damage when coming inside off his right wing, comparing the Egyptian to Arsenal's Bukayo Saka. However, Gary Lineker suggested Richards is more ambivalent over the Liverpool star because he didn't score after drafting him into his fantasy line-up.
"Spoiled my whole day," shouted the former Manchester City defender on The Rest Is Football podcast. "Mo, if you're listening - you are £12.5million on Fantasy Football.
"No disrespect, [but] if you're that price, I need a goal or assist every single week. I'm not asking for hat-tricks! I'm just asking for a little bit of something. Just a little something!"
One would think a return of four assists and four goals in just six league outings would be enough to encourage even the most cantankerous of tacticians. And yet Richards still demands more from his signing.
Micah Richards warned Salah he needs him to perform for the sake of his fantasy team (Image: Getty)
In fact, the only Premier League game this season in which Salah has failed to score or assist was the anomalous defeat at home to Nottingham Forest in September. That must mean Richards opted to bring Salah into his fold at the exact wrong moment - though he's been back in the goals since.
Newcastle legend Shearer joked the critique will have given Salah all the motivation he needs to make a difference from here on. He said: "I bet he's thinking, 'I've gotta do it for Big Meeks. I've gotta do it!'"
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The 32-year-old was involved in both of the Reds goals as they beat Bologna 2-0 in the Champions League on Wednesday. And he'll hope to have more of an impact on Liverpool's success when Slot & Co. visit Crystal Palace on Saturday.
The Merseysiders come into Week 7 of the new season leading by a point at the Premier League pinnacle. And Richards would be only too happy if Salah can continue to lend a heavy hand in keeping them there.
