Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher believes Mohamed Salah should no longer be an automatic starter in away matches, citing the forward’s recent dip in form.

The 33-year-old Egyptian, who signed a two-year contract extension in April, has struggled to replicate last season’s record-breaking performances. Salah has now gone seven games without scoring from open play.

In Liverpool’s 2-1 defeat to Manchester United at Anfield on Sunday, Salah missed a golden chance to equalize — and Carragher suggested that, unlike captain Virgil van Dijk, the forward shouldn’t be guaranteed a place in the starting lineup.

“Liverpool have got two away games — in the Champions League at Frankfurt and then at Brentford,” Carragher told Sky Sports. “I don’t think Salah should start both of those games.”

Carragher emphasized that Salah remains crucial at home fixtures.

“He should always start at Anfield because Liverpool are usually on top, around the edge of the box, and he tends to score in those situations,” he said. “But away from home, with the form he’s in and the defensive work needed, I don’t think he should be starting every game right now.”

Liverpool entered Sunday’s match after back-to-back Premier League losses to Crystal Palace and Chelsea, as well as a Champions League defeat to Galatasaray.

Despite spending £446 million ($600 million) in the summer transfer window, their form has faltered. Carragher argued that manager Arne Slot should now prioritize building the team around younger stars Alexander Isak and Florian Wirtz.

“It has to be Isak and Wirtz — they’ve invested heavily in them, and their age profiles fit the long-term project better than Salah’s,” Carragher added.

Liverpool currently sit fourth in the Premier League with 15 points from eight matches, four points behind leaders Arsenal.