'Doubled up' Salah behind Mane's scoring streak

Liverpool's Sadio Mane (C) with Mohamed Salah (L) and Adam Lallana

Tuesday Mar 26, 2019. 12:00

Former Manchester United and Everton defender Phil Neville has a theory to why Mohamed Salah has found scoring more difficult in his second season at Liverpool.

The Egypt international scored a whopping 32 league goals in his first season at Anfield, to duly clinch the English Premier League golden boot.

While Salah has frequently found the back of the net this season - he's scored 17 goals in the league so far - the 26-year-old has failed to score in his last seven matches for the Reds.

And while Salah's form has taken a dip, teammate and fellow African Sadio Mane has spearheaded Liverpool's continued title charge with nine goals in his last nine outings.

"He's been doubled up on," says Neville as per the Premier League's official website.

"There have been times when there are three defenders around him."This is probably the reason why [Sadio] Mane has scored more goals this year, because it's freed up other players in the team."

Neville reserved special praise for Salah nonetheless as Liverpool prepare to face Tottenham Hotspur this coming weekend.

"Salah has that ability to drift in from that right-hand side," Neville added. "Defenders know he's going to do it but they can't do anything about it.

"His finishing is absolutely world-class and Liverpool are lucky to have him."