Liverpool

Arsene Wenger: 'Mohamed Salah too obsessed with scoring'

By Leo Nieboer | 07 September 2019

Wenger: 'Salah too obsessed with scoring'

Arsene Wenger claims that Mohamed Salah must eradicate his obsession with attempting to score goals when passing to a teammate would serve as a better option.

Arsene Wenger has criticised Mohamed Salah for an unhealthy obsession with looking to score goals in the final third as opposed to passing to a teammate in a better position.

The Egyptian, who moved to Liverpool in 2017, enjoyed a remarkable opening campaign on Merseyside, scoring 44 goals in 52 games across all competitions.

However, his decision-making in the box came under question during Liverpool's 3-0 win over Burnley last weekend, when the forward took a shot on when squaring the ball to Sadio Mane would have almost guaranteed a goal, leaving the latter to explode with anger on the bench.

Reflecting on how Salah can progress in the future, Wenger told beIN Sports: "[Salah] has similarities with Messi. He must find the consistency of Messi.

"I find he's a good finisher but Messi has the complete thing, he gives the final ball as well. Salah is a bit obsessed with finishing himself.

"That's a dimension he'll get certainly, when he grows a little bit older, to find the moment when you have to give the ball and when you have to finish."

Salah, who has three goals so far this season, demonstrated the good side of his propensity to take on goalkeepers with a remarkable solo effort against Arsenal last month.

Jurgen Klopp's side, the only Premier League outfit to maintain a perfect record after four games, take on Newcastle United at Anfield after the international break.