Podolski: Liverpool striker Salah's critics are just STUPID | OneFootball

Former Germany striker Lukas Podolski has slammed criticism of Liverpool ace Mohamed Salah.

The 30-year-old's form in front of goal for Liverpool this season has been the subject of debate among critics. He has found the back of the net four times in nine outings in all competitions, with just two coming in the Premier League.

However, Podolski has hit back at the criticism aimed at Salah, labelling them as “stupid".

"We don't need to talk about Salah, he is your hero (Egypt), the greatest player ever in your country I think," Podolski told Dostor. “There is not much to talk about, everyone knows him as a player, they know his quality, what he did for Liverpool and the Egyptian football

“I don't know if he has received offers to leave Liverpool before renewing his contract, he has decided to stay at Liverpool, and I think he is proud to stay at Liverpool, we are talking about a world-class player.

"If he doesn't score in a number of games, of course the criticism will always be there, and he has to deal with that, but that doesn't change him as a player or as a person to have a bad start to the season with Liverpool.

"After everything bad comes something good, and I think you shouldn't create problems with that for Salah. This is part of the sport and you have to deal with it, especially in football.

"The good thing is that if you have two or three bad games, you can score in the next game and everyone will shut up about that, you have to enjoy the football life, you have to deal with results, situations and bad starts. You have to deal with that and accept that.

"For me, it's stupid to criticize great players who have already proven a lot like Salah, you have to deal with criticism, and when you have a long time in that profession, you have to know how to deal with it."