Wayne Rooney Suggests Major Changes for Liverpool Amid Struggles

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

In light of recent performances, former Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney has suggested that Liverpool manager Arne Slot should consider dropping Salah from the starting lineup. Following a disappointing 3-0 home defeat to Nottingham Forest, Salah, who has netted five times this season, was again unable to contribute goals or assists.

Rooney expressed his thoughts in a recent podcast episode, stating, “If I were Slot, I would make a significant decision to potentially invigorate the team. Salah is not contributing defensively. For players who have joined the squad and find themselves on the bench, witnessing Salah’s lack of effort sends a troubling message.”

Slot, who led Liverpool to a league title in his inaugural season after taking over from Jurgen Klopp, now faces challenges as the team sits 11th in the table with just 18 points from 12 matches. Rooney observed, “They are indeed going through a challenging period. The impact of Jota’s unfortunate situation undoubtedly affects the squad as he is a key teammate. However, there can be no excuse for a lack of fight or tackling on the pitch.”

After a successful tenure under Klopp, during which Liverpool clinched the Premier League title in the 2019-20 season, the expectations remain high. Following the recent loss, Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk remarked that “everyone in the team must accept responsibility,” as the squad has secured only one win in their last seven league matches.

Rooney commented on the pressures Slot faces, noting, “It’s essential for him to reinvigorate the team and restore their winning mentality. The shadow of Klopp lingers, reminiscent of the situation at Manchester United when David Moyes and Louis Van Gaal were in charge, with Ferguson’s legacy always being referenced. For Slot, there’s constant mention of Klopp—’he’s not Jurgen Klopp, he’s not as good as Jurgen Klopp.’ It’s crucial for Liverpool fans to support Slot and move beyond those comparisons.”

To catch more insights, tune into the Wayne Rooney Show on BBC Sport YouTube or listen on BBC Sounds.