Rooney Urges Liverpool Manager to Drop Salah Amid Team Struggles

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

However, former Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney has voiced his opinion that Liverpool manager Arne Slot should consider dropping Salah from the starting lineup. This suggestion follows Liverpool’s disappointing 3-0 home defeat to Nottingham Forest, where Salah, despite scoring five times this season, failed to contribute any goals or assists.

In a recent podcast episode, Rooney stated, “If I were Slot, I would make a bold decision that could positively impact the rest of the team. Salah is not contributing defensively. If you are a player who has been signed and you find yourself on the bench, seeing him not putting in the effort sends a concerning message.”

Last season, the 33-year-old Salah became the first player in Premier League history to end the season leading both in goals and assists while also winning the player of the season award. This remarkable form aligned with Slot’s successful debut season in charge, during which he led Liverpool to the title following the departure of Jurgen Klopp.

The Reds have faced challenges this season after a busy summer transfer window that saw the arrivals of Florian Wirtz and Alexander Isak, with a combined expenditure of £241 million. Currently, Liverpool is positioned 11th in the league, accumulating 18 points from 12 games.

Rooney noted, “They are clearly undergoing a difficult period. The recent incident involving Jota likely has had an impact on the players, considering he is their teammate. However, there is no excuse for a lack of fighting spirit or tackling on the pitch.”

Following the loss to Nottingham Forest, Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk emphasized that accountability rests with the entire team. With Slot’s squad managing just one win in their last seven league matches, the legacy of his predecessor, Klopp, looms large.

Rooney remarked, “Slot faces a significant challenge in revitalizing the team and steering them back to winning ways. When results are poor, Klopp’s name is constantly referenced, much like Sir Alex Ferguson’s was during the tenures of David Moyes and Louis Van Gaal at Manchester United. People keep saying, ‘He’s not Jurgen Klopp; he’s not as good as Klopp.’ However, it is crucial for Liverpool fans to support Slot and move past comparisons.”

For further insights, viewers can check out the Wayne Rooney Show on BBC Sport’s YouTube channel, or listen on BBC Sounds.