Salah's Pace Concerns Deepen as Liverpool Eye Bowen Alternative Following Newcastle Display

The alarm bells are ringing for Mohamed Salah at Anfield. Despite Liverpool's commanding 4-1 dismantling of Newcastle, one particular moment of play has set tongues wagging about the Egyptian's current form—and his future.

Salah returned to the fold after a fractious spell away at AFCON, having publicly aired his grievances with manager Arne Slot and the club, claiming he'd been "thrown under a bus" and suggesting their relationship was non-existent. His comeback, however, hasn't sparked the revival many hoped for.

Former Liverpool defender Steve Nicol has pinpointed the exact nature of the problem. During a passage in the Newcastle match where a ball was threaded through by Szoboszlai, Nicol observed that Salah appeared uncomfortable on the ball as he was caught comfortably by Trippier—a right-back whose legs, Nicol notes, have clearly gone. The fact that Salah couldn't shake off an ageing full-back given a three-yard head start? That's the worry.

"That's got to be alarm bells," Nicol stated on ESPN FC. "When he was making mistakes previously and still scoring important goals, he knew he could still pick the top corners out, he could still run past people and score goals and make these assists. But now, there is nothing worse for a footballer when you realise you're losing things and not sure why, but it affects everything you do."

The loss of pace appears to be feeding into a crisis of confidence in front of goal. Nicol reckons Salah's inability to execute the clinical finishes he once took for granted is now chipping away at his self-belief. When opportunities arrive in the box these days, he can't get close to the top corner anymore.

Meanwhile, the vultures are circling from abroad. Saudi Pro League outfit Al-Ittihad have reportedly identified Salah as their top target to fill the void left by Karim Benzema's departure to Al-Hilal. The Saudi club values him at €30m (£26m) and plans to make contact in the coming weeks, positioning him as the main right-winger for next season if he agrees to the move.

Back in England, Joe Cole has offered his thoughts on a potential successor. The former Liverpool and West Ham playmaker has earmarked Jarrod Bowen as the ideal candidate—particularly if the Hammers take the drop. Cole spoke glowingly of Bowen's character and ability, suggesting his time could come at a bigger club.

"He's loved at West Ham and he deserves, at the peak of his career, to win silverware and fight at the top level," Cole told Paddy Power. "If West Ham were to get relegated, it won't be anything to do with what Jarrod Bowen has done; he's been a stalwart for the club. Obviously, Liverpool, that slot might come into play if Mo Salah leaves. He can go and play anywhere."