Wayne Rooney Advocates for Tactical Changes at Liverpool

omidbasir- Wayne Rooney has advised Arne Slot to consider sidelining Mohamed Salah in an effort to rejuvenate Liverpool’s current form.

Following a disappointing 3-0 home defeat to Nottingham Forest, the reigning champions find themselves in 11th place in the Premier League, trailing leaders Arsenal by 11 points. Salah’s performance in the match was lackluster, as he failed to register either a goal or an assist, contributing to Liverpool’s sixth loss in their last seven league encounters.

In the wake of this latest defeat, along with a previous loss to Manchester City, Liverpool has conceded six consecutive goals in these two matches.

“Salah is not contributing defensively,” Rooney remarked on The Wayne Rooney Show.

“If you are one of the new players on the bench, witnessing a teammate not exerting effort—despite his legendary status at the club—what message does that convey? If I were Slot, I would make a bold decision to influence the team positively.

“When results are lacking, it’s essential to maintain a compact and resilient formation. During this challenging period, Slot needs to prioritize a cohesive defense, with every player contributing. Once victories are secured, he can reintegrate Salah, hoping he also elevates his work rate. This change would undoubtedly impact the team positively.”

Rooney did not limit his criticism to Salah, highlighting several senior players who have not met expectations.

“The overall performance has been subpar, and it’s not just van Dijk and Salah who are to blame,” Rooney noted.

“While I would hope these seasoned players lead the team, individuals like Mac Allister, who has been around for a few years, and Gravenberch, who performed well last season, must step up. They need to galvanize the squad to establish a winning mentality once again.”

He also pointed to the tragic death of Diogo Jota as a potential factor influencing Liverpool’s struggles.

“They are undoubtedly facing a tough time,” he reflected.

“The impact of Jota’s unfortunate situation on the team should not be overlooked. He was a daily presence for his teammates, and such an event has to affect morale and performance.”