Rooney Advocates for Salah’s Bench Role Amid Liverpool’s Struggles

Mohamed Salah was directly involved in 47 Premier League goals for Liverpool during the previous season.

Former Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney has expressed that Liverpool manager Arne Slot should contemplate dropping Salah following the team’s recent performances. In their latest match, a 3-0 defeat at home to Nottingham Forest, Salah, who has netted five goals this season, was unable to contribute with either a goal or an assist.

In his recent podcast episode, Rooney stated, “If I were Slot, I would consider making a significant decision to positively influence the rest of the team. Salah is not providing the necessary defensive support. For players who have recently joined the squad and find themselves on the bench, witnessing Salah’s lack of effort sends a concerning message.”

Slot, now managing Liverpool after a successful tenure of nine years under Jurgen Klopp, has seen his team struggle this season. Liverpool currently ranks 11th in the table, accumulating 18 points from 12 matches, a stark contrast to their previous success, where Salah became the first player in Premier League history to finish with the highest goals and assists, winning the Player of the Season award last year.

Rooney noted, “They are enduring a challenging period. You must consider how the unfortunate situation regarding Jota affects the team, as it impacts his teammates’ morale. However, that does not excuse a lack of determination or effort on the field.”

In light of their recent performances, Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk emphasized the need for collective accountability within the squad. With only one victory in their past seven league matches, the shadow of Klopp’s successful tenure looms heavily over Slot.

Rooney further remarked, “Slot faces a considerable challenge in restoring the team’s winning mentality. When results are unfavorable, Klopp’s legacy is inevitably referenced. It resembles the situation with Sir Alex Ferguson; during David Moyes and Louis Van Gaal’s time at Manchester United, Ferguson’s name was frequently mentioned. Similarly, Slot finds himself constantly compared to Klopp. It’s crucial for Liverpool fans to support Slot and move beyond such comparisons.”

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