Wayne Rooney Advocates for Tactical Changes at Liverpool to Revitalize Team Performance

Wayne Rooney has urged Liverpool manager Arne Slot to reconsider the inclusion of Mohamed Salah in the starting lineup as a means to rejuvenate the team’s performance.

After suffering a 3-0 defeat at home to Nottingham Forest, Liverpool currently finds itself in 11th place in the Premier League, trailing behind league leaders Arsenal by 11 points. Salah’s performance during this match was underwhelming, as he neither scored nor assisted, contributing to Liverpool’s sixth loss in their last seven league outings.

In the wake of this poor run, which has seen the team concede six unanswered goals in their last two matches, Rooney expressed his concerns on The Wayne Rooney Show. He noted, “Salah is not helping them defensively. If you’re one of the new signings sitting on the bench and observing a teammate not exerting effort, what message does that send? He may be a club legend, but if he isn’t contributing defensively, it raises questions.”

Rooney believes that a significant decision is necessary from Slot, stating, “When results are not favorable, it’s imperative to maintain a compact and resilient defense. I strongly feel that Slot should prioritize having players who are fully committed, and once the team begins to win again, Salah can be reintroduced into the lineup. This approach will undoubtedly have a positive impact on the team.”

Furthermore, Rooney’s critique extended beyond Salah, addressing the general performance of several senior players who have not met expectations. He remarked, “It’s not just van Dijk and Salah who have underperformed. Players like Mac Allister and Gravenberch, who have been with the team for some time, need to step up and lead the charge towards rebuilding a winning team.”

Rooney also acknowledged the emotional toll of Diogo Jota’s recent tragedy on the squad, stating, “Liverpool is enduring a challenging period. The unfortunate incident involving Jota must have affected the players. They work alongside him daily, and such events naturally have an impact on morale.”