Micah Richards believes Mohamed Salah's struggles in the Carabao Cup final were linked to one key factor. Liverpool's star forward had a rare off-day, raising questions about the team's reliance on him.

For Mohamed Salah, a scorer of 32 goals in what looks to be a record-breaking campaign for Liverpool, that was again the case in Sunday’s Carabao Cup final defeat to Newcastle United. For a forward who is on his way to recording one of the greatest individual seasons of all time in the Premier League came the anomaly of Wembley: a match where the 32-year-old did not have a shot or create a chance in Liverpool’s 2-1 defeat.

Mohamed Salah touched the ball just 23 times during Liverpool 1-2 Newcastle in the Carabao Cup final. The Egyptian was nullified but showed why a new deal is a must.

Liverpool boss Arne Slot, speaking to Sky Sports about his side's defeat to Newcastle in the Carabao Cup final: "The game went their way in the sense that we played the game in the way they would want.

Liverpool take on Newcastle United in the Carabao Cup final at Wembley this afternoon.The first silverware of the season will be decided in the capital, as Arne Slot looks to win his first trophy

Liverpool will be looking to bring in a new striker this summer and Arne Slot has just shook hands with him. If the Reds' defeat in the Carabao Cup final to Newcastle United made one thing absolutely clear it's that Slot cannot rely on his current attacking options.