Rooney Advocates for Salah’s Bench Role Amid Liverpool Struggles

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

However, former Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney has recommended that Liverpool manager Arne Slot consider dropping Salah from the lineup. This advice comes on the heels of Liverpool’s recent 3-0 home defeat to Nottingham Forest, where Salah, despite scoring five times this season, failed to register either a goal or an assist.

In his latest podcast episode, Rooney stated, “If I were in Slot’s position, I would make a significant decision to affect the rest of the team. Salah is not contributing defensively. If you are one of the new signings sitting on the bench and observe him not putting in the effort, it sends a discouraging message.”

Slot, who is currently overseeing a difficult phase for the team, acknowledged the challenges Liverpool is facing. The club, having secured only one win in their last seven league matches, currently sits 11th in the Premier League standings with 18 points from 12 games.

“They are definitely going through a tough time,” Rooney added, reflecting on the impact of Diogo Jota’s injury on team dynamics. “Such events can have a significant effect on the players, as he is one of their teammates. However, there can be no justification for a lack of fighting spirit or tackling on the pitch.”

Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk emphasized the need for accountability within the squad following Saturday’s loss, indicating that everyone must share the responsibility for the team’s performance. As Slot grapples with expectations, the shadow of his predecessor, Jurgen Klopp, looms large. Rooney remarked, “Slot has a substantial challenge ahead to restore the team’s form and secure victories. When results are lacking, Klopp’s name frequently comes up, akin to how Sir Alex Ferguson was referenced during the tenures of David Moyes and Louis Van Gaal at Manchester United.”

Rooney concluded by urging Liverpool fans to rally behind Slot rather than continuously comparing him to Klopp, stating, “The supporters need to move beyond that and back him.”

For further insights, listeners can catch the Wayne Rooney Show on BBC Sport’s YouTube channel and BBC Sounds.