Wayne Rooney Advocates for Bold Changes at Liverpool, Questions Salah’s Contribution

Mohamed Salah was instrumental in 47 Premier League goals for Liverpool last season.

Wayne Rooney, former Manchester United striker, has advised Liverpool manager Arne Slot to consider dropping Mohamed Salah from the starting lineup. Following a disappointing 3-0 defeat at home to Nottingham Forest, where Salah, despite scoring five goals this season, failed to contribute with a goal or an assist, Rooney expressed his views in his latest podcast episode.

“If I were in Slot’s position, I would make a significant decision that could impact the rest of the team,” Rooney stated. “Salah is not contributing defensively. For the players who have been signed and find themselves on the bench, seeing him not putting in the effort sends a concerning message.”

Slot acknowledged Liverpool’s current struggles, stating, “It’s my responsibility,” as the team finds itself in a challenging situation.

Last season, Salah made history by becoming the first player in Premier League history to finish with the most goals and assists and win the Player of the Season award. His impressive form coincided with Slot’s successful first season as manager, where he led Liverpool to the title after replacing Jurgen Klopp.

After a busy summer transfer window that brought in new talents such as Florian Wirtz and Alexander Isak for a combined cost of £241 million, Liverpool has faced difficulties. Currently, they sit 11th in the Premier League table with 18 points from 12 matches.

Rooney remarked on the team’s tough times, noting, “They are clearly going through a hard patch. The unfortunate situation with Jota may have affected the morale of his teammates, which is understandable. However, there should be no excuse for a lack of effort and desire on the pitch.”

Following the loss to Nottingham Forest, Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk emphasized the importance of accountability, stating that “everyone in the team has to take responsibility.” With Slot’s team managing only one victory in their last seven league matches, the legacy of his predecessor, Klopp, is becoming increasingly apparent.

Rooney commented, “Slot has a significant challenge ahead to restore the team’s performance and winning mentality. When results are poor, Klopp’s name inevitably comes up. It’s reminiscent of the situation at Manchester United after Sir Alex Ferguson’s departure, where his legacy cast a long shadow over subsequent managers. However, I believe Liverpool fans need to focus on supporting Slot in his efforts rather than continuously comparing him to Klopp.”

For more insights, tune into the Wayne Rooney Show on BBC Sport’s YouTube channel or BBC Sounds.