Former Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney has publicly criticised Mohamed Salah for Liverpool’s recent poor performances, suggesting that manager Arne Slot should consider leaving the Egyptian forward out of the starting lineup.
Rooney’s comments came after Liverpool’s 3–0 home defeat to Nottingham Forest on Saturday, marking another disappointing outing for the Reds.
Despite scoring five goals so far this season, Salah failed to contribute either a goal or an assist in the match, raising concerns over his current form and defensive commitment.
“If I were Slot, I’d make a big decision just to have an impact on the rest of the team,” Rooney said during his latest podcast episode.
“Salah is not helping them defensively. If you’re one of the players on the bench and you’ve seen him not running — and he’s a club legend — what message does that send?”
The 33-year-old England striker emphasized that leadership on the field is just as important as past accomplishments.
Rooney himself made history last season by becoming the first Premier League player to finish a season with the most goals and assists while winning the Player of the Season award.
Liverpool’s struggles come after a busy summer transfer window in which the club spent £241 million to secure the signings of Florian Wirtz and Alexander Isak.
Despite these reinforcements, the Reds currently sit 11th in the Premier League table, having amassed just 18 points from 12 games — far below expectations for a defending champion.
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Rooney also highlighted the psychological impact of injuries within the squad, referencing Diogo Jota’s absence. However, he stressed that the team must maintain a strong defensive effort regardless of setbacks.
“There’s no excuse for not fighting and not tackling,” Rooney said, underscoring that consistent effort is essential even when key players are unavailable.
Salah’s dazzling form in previous seasons coincided with Liverpool’s success under Jurgen Klopp and, more recently, Arne Slot’s first title-winning campaign.
However, the current dip in form has sparked debate among fans and pundits alike over whether the Egyptian forward should be rested, rotated, or repositioned to improve team balance.
With the Premier League season still in its early stages, Liverpool has time to recover, but the pressure is mounting.
Rooney’s critique highlights growing concerns over whether Salah can maintain his high-level performance while meeting both offensive and defensive responsibilities for a squad aiming to defend its league crown.
BBC
