Liverpool Faces Challenges Amid Poor Form and Leadership Decisions

Liverpool’s disappointing run of form continued after the international break, suffering a heavy 3-0 defeat against Nottingham Forest. This result leaves the defending champions with an alarming record of losing half of their twelve Premier League matches this season, having conceded a total of 20 goals so far in the 2025-26 campaign. Following the match, manager Slot expressed confidence that “the solution is not that far away,” yet concerns regarding his future at Anfield are mounting after a challenging start to their title defense.

Former England captain Wayne Rooney proposed that a strategic decision, such as dropping star player Mohamed Salah, could potentially rejuvenate the team. Speaking on The Wayne Rooney Show, he remarked, “If I were Slot, I’d consider making a significant change to impact the rest of the team. Salah has not been contributing defensively. For new signings observing from the bench, seeing him not tracking back sends the wrong message.”

When asked if Slot should bench Salah, Rooney affirmed, “Absolutely. He needs to compact the team, ensuring every player is working hard defensively. Once the team starts winning again, Salah can be reintegrated, ideally with a renewed work ethic. This change could positively influence team dynamics.”

Rooney’s viewpoint is echoed by other former players such as Jamie Carragher and Don Hutchison, who also advocate for Salah’s temporary removal from the starting lineup. Conversely, Liverpool legend John Barnes asserts that Salah is not the issue. He explained to Mirror Football, “Historically, Liverpool’s play has revolved around creating opportunities for Salah. With the introduction of new players like Florian Wirtz, Ekitike, and Isak, the style is evolving. We are experiencing teething issues, and it’s coincidental that Salah is now 33; attributing blame to age is simplistic.

“The entire team is adapting to a new style of play, which doesn’t solely focus on Salah. He will remain a threat, but he may not receive the ball in advantageous positions as frequently as before. With an influx of dribblers, our pace of play is slower, making it challenging for Salah to exploit his speed. While he may not be the focal point he once was, I believe he still deserves his place in the best eleven. The key is to find an approach that accommodates everyone, which will differ from their previous strategies.”

Liverpool supporters will be eager to see if Slot opts to bench Salah, particularly following a season where the 33-year-old has only netted four Premier League goals. Moreover, the Reds will face additional challenges as Salah will depart for the Africa Cup of Nations in December, potentially missing key fixtures against Tottenham, Wolves, Leeds, Fulham, Arsenal, and Burnley, as well as the third round of the FA Cup, which commences on December 21 and concludes with the final on January 18.

The squad will aim to overcome their Premier League struggles as they prepare to face PSV in the Champions League this Tuesday. PSV currently leads the Eredivisie and is on an impressive unbeaten streak of eleven matches. The two teams previously met last season, with PSV securing a 3-2 victory against a significantly altered Liverpool side in Eindhoven; a similar outcome could escalate the pressure on Slot and his faltering Reds.