Former Liverpool midfielder Don Hutchison believes Mohamed Salah is running low on confidence as the Reds' miserable start to 2023 continued against Brighton and Hove Albion.
The Egyptian wasted a couple of chances against the Seagulls on Sunday as the Reds' defence of the FA Cup came to an end. But, Kaoru Mitoma was composed at the crucial moment as he stabbed home the winner in second-half stoppage time.
Salah didn't manage to find the back of the net as his run extended to one goal in seven for Jurgen Klopp's side but did provide the assist for the opener. He latched onto Naby Keita's pass before threading in Harvey Elliott who fired beyond Jason Steele.
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By the 30-year-old's high standards since arriving at Anfield, he has scored seven goals in 19 Premier League - 17 in 30 across all competitions.
And Hutchison, who played 60 times for the Reds, has bluntly described Salah's misfortune in front of goal this season.
"When you look at the first goal big deflection, I think Liverpool were better today, Jurgen Klopp can take aspects from the game he'll be happy with," he said speaking to ESPN FC.
"The scoreline is the scoreline, they scored a great goal at the end but this is a Brighton side that's scored eight goals against Liverpool, a team on the up, the confidence is there, there's a thing in football that you can never measure a team's confidence.
"You see Mo Salah going through a couple of times, last season (or) season's before, he takes one or if not both of those chances but now he can't buy a goal."
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