Watford striker Troy Deeney claims that Mo Salah, Sadio Mane, Roberto Firmino and Diogo Jota are ” not natural goalscorers” as Liverpool continue to struggle.
Jurgen Klopp’s side have gone from winning the title at a canter last season to lying sixth in the Premier League this term.
A late goal saw Newcastle United snatch a 1-1 draw at Anfield on Saturday after the Reds had dominated proceedings but failed to make their chances count.
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Salah has scored 20 Premier League goals this season, Mane and Jota have helped themselves to eight each, while Firmino has bagged six.
There has been a drop off from Mane in particular this season but Deeney doesn’t even think top scorer Salah is a natural finisher.
“I’m going to say something and I’m probably going to get hammered for it. They’re not natural goalscorers, any of the four,” Deeney told talkSPORT.
“I’ve been on record before, I think Firmino is excellent but he’s not someone I sit back and think he’s going to get 25 or 28 goals a season.
“Salah is a winger. Look at Newcastle, look at how many chances he missed. If they fell to Harry Kane we would have said he had a bad day.
“They are not bad players, but it’s that natural finishers instinct that certain players have. These players are more creative and introverted wingers.
“Salah gets a lot of chances. One game he might score five and seasons like this he might have four or five games where he doesn’t score.
“With the Newcastle game, Liverpool could have been 6-0 at half-time and we’re having completely different conversation.”
On other reasons for their struggles, Deeney added: “The fans play a huge part there – when you go to Anfield and it’s rocking. It has that aura. You walk out and the song starts, it is still an old ground, it is still intimidating and on top of you.
“They haven’t done great against teams sitting in and not being adventurous and that’s what they have got to break down.
“But with the injuries they have had this season, we have to give them a little bit of a pass.”
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