Wayne Rooney Suggests Mohamed Salah Be Dropped from Liverpool’s Starting Lineup

Mohamed Salah was a key player for Liverpool last season, contributing to 47 goals in the Premier League. However, former Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney has suggested that Liverpool manager Arne Slot should consider dropping Salah from the starting lineup.

Following Liverpool’s 3-0 defeat at home to Nottingham Forest, where Salah, despite having scored five goals this season, failed to provide either a goal or an assist, Rooney expressed his thoughts during a recent podcast episode. He stated, “If I were Slot, I would make a bold decision to impact the rest of the team. Salah is not contributing defensively. If you are a player on the bench watching him not putting in the effort—despite being a club legend—what message does that convey?”

The 33-year-old Salah made history last season by finishing with the highest goals and assists in the Premier League and winning the Player of the Season award. His remarkable performance coincided with a triumphant first season for Slot, who took over from Jurgen Klopp and led Liverpool to the Premier League title.

After a high-profile summer transfer window, which saw the arrivals of Florian Wirtz and Alexander Isak for a combined fee of £241 million, Liverpool has faced struggles this season. Currently, they sit 11th in the league table, accumulating only 18 points from 12 matches.

Rooney noted, “They are experiencing a tough phase, and we must consider the impact of Jota’s unfortunate situation on the team, as his teammates are affected by such events. However, there is no excuse for a lack of fight or tackling.”

In light of the recent performance, Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk emphasized the need for the entire team to take responsibility. With Slot’s team managing just one win in their last seven league matches, the shadow of his predecessor, Klopp, is becoming increasingly apparent. Rooney remarked, “Slot faces a significant challenge in revitalizing their performance. The recurring mention of Klopp’s name during difficult times adds pressure, akin to what David Moyes faced at Manchester United after Sir Alex Ferguson. Liverpool fans need to support Slot rather than dwell on comparisons to Klopp.”

To hear more insights, tune into the Wayne Rooney Show on BBC Sport YouTube and BBC Sounds.