Benrahma problem may have a simple answer

Said Benrahma may be undergoing a real dip in form because Alan Irvine has left the club!

The Algeria international has been struggling throughout this season and has become a frustratingly in and out performer.

Against Liverpool, he came off the bench and was roundly terrible, failing to impact the game at all in the final third.

This season, indeed, he has made 34 appearances in all competitions and scored eight goals, although three of those came in the Europa League.

He hasn’t scored or provided an assist in the league since New Year’s Day, when he provided an assist against Crystal Palace.

The Athletic has reported previously that Benrahma was close with Irvine and that the pair used to watch footage together, before then training as a pair.

Irvine would reportedly point out mistakes to Benrahma and then urge him to repeat the movements on the training ground so he knew how to approach it in the actual game.

David Moyes, by comparison, has been somewhat tough on the Algerian, insisting that he has to play for the team.

It doesn’t seem as though he is getting the same special treatment as he once was.

Maybe that’s why he just isn’t performing!