In the Premier League, Mo Salah has already been tackled this season more times than he was in the entirety of 2017/18.
This proves that defences have wisely paid far more attention to the Egyptian who last term, notched 44 goals in all competitions – a mind-boggling record considering he played on the right-wing.
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This season, Salah has 20 goals so far, which is an outstanding return for a wide attacker, but he’s received criticism from the media and even some fans after not hitting the same heights in terms of goals.
The fact teams are tackling him more though, as this table from Paul Joyce proves, shows Salah’s life has become much more difficult since Premier League teams accepted the fact he’s genuinely world-class.
Salah has already been tackled more than in the whole of last season as teams have adapted to how he plays — but Liverpool will hope he picks up the gauntlet, writes @_pauljoyce #LFC https://t.co/v1OsHWfQDg pic.twitter.com/hhfIbno97A
— Times Sport (@TimesSport) March 27, 2019
While it’s harder for Salah to score goals, it’s perhaps become a little easier for Sadio Mane – who has notched 11 times in 11 matches – in comparison to Mo’s one effort in the same time.
So the work Salah is doing is not going unrewarded. Just look at his goalless performance in the Champions League v Bayern Munich. He was phenomenal.
We back him to start bagging again soon though – starting on Sunday at Anfield v Spurs.