Liverpool legend John Aldridge thinks Mohamed Salah needs to “be careful” after comparing him to Luis Suarez over going down “too easily” inside the box.
The Egyptian has been in the spotlight in recent weeks for Jurgen Klopp’s men, winning penalties against Newcastle United, Arsenal and Brighton in the Premier League.
Salah was criticised for going down too easily in Liverpool’s last match against Crystal Palace when he came under pressure from ex-Liverpool defender Mamadou Sakho.
Suarez was often criticised for going to ground when he could have stayed on his feet during his time in the Premier League, and Aldridge is worried that Salah is building himself an unwelcome reputation.
“Salah went down too easily against Crystal Palace [when looking for a penalty on Saturday]. And now he has a problem,” Aldridge told the Liverpool Echo.
“But did Mamadou Sakho catch his calf? 100 per cent. He caught his calf with his shin, and Salah went down. That’s what players do this day and age.
“Now Salah has to be careful. Everybody is on to him. This has happened in the past with players – think Luis Suarez – who look for a touch and then go down.
“Salah got touched. Did it warrant a penalty? Some referees would have given it. There was contact but, yes, Salah went down too easily.”
On whether the added publicity over Salah’s latest incident could have a negative effect on Liverpool, Aldridge added: “If it’s a clear foul on Salah, then I’m sure referees will give a penalty in the future.
“But the way Mo plays means he is always going to invite contact, he is often going to have two or three players around him in the box.
“It’s hard for defenders in that instance not to make contact with him. It’s very, very difficult for him not to get touched.”