Following a disappointing loss to Nottingham Forest, former Manchester United star Wayne Rooney has suggested that Liverpool manager Arne Slot should consider dropping Mohamed Salah. Liverpool suffered a significant setback with a 3-0 defeat at home, marking their sixth loss in seven Premier League matches and leaving them languishing in 11th place in the league standings.
In the match against Nottingham, Salah was unable to contribute either a goal or an assist, despite creating one of Liverpool’s best scoring opportunities for teammate Milos Kerkez. Rooney has been vocal in his criticism of the Egyptian forward, suggesting that Salah’s lack of defensive effort is detrimental to the team’s performance.
Rooney’s Call for Change
Rooney emphasized the need for a decisive action from Slot to motivate the team. Speaking on the Wayne Rooney Show, he stated, “If I was Slot, I’d try and make a big decision just so it has an impact on the rest of the team. Salah is not helping them defensively.” He pointed out that players on the bench may feel demoralized watching a club legend like Salah not putting in the effort, which could affect team morale.
Throughout the current season, Salah has not reached the exceptional form that saw him named ‘player of the year’ last season, where he topped both the scoring and assist charts. Rooney’s remarks suggest that a change in the lineup could send a strong message to other players who have not been performing.
Impact of Recent Tragedy
In addition to tactical changes, Rooney also addressed the emotional impact of the tragic death of Liverpool forward Diogo Jota, who died in a car accident over the summer. He remarked, “They’re going through a hard time, aren’t they? You’ve probably got to look at the effect of what sadly happened to Jota. What effect does that have on the players, because that’s his teammates? That surely has to have an effect.” Despite acknowledging the emotional toll, Rooney maintained that the players should still fight harder on the pitch.
As Liverpool navigates through this challenging period, Slot faces mounting pressure to turn the team’s fortunes around. The upcoming matches will be crucial for both the manager and Salah as they seek to restore Liverpool’s competitive edge in the Premier League.
Fans and analysts alike will be watching closely to see if Rooney’s advice influences Slot’s decisions moving forward. The Wayne Rooney Show can be viewed on BBC Sport’s YouTube channel and is also available on BBC Sounds.
