- Wayne Rooney has urged Liverpool boss Arne Slot to take action on Mohamed Salah’s poor form.
- Rooney criticised Salah’s lack of defensive work in the 3-0 loss to Nottingham Forest.
- Liverpool sit 11th in the table with one win in their last seven Premier League games.
Wayne Rooney has called on Liverpool manager Arne Slot to make a tough decision regarding Mohamed Salah, warning that the forward’s recent performances are sending the wrong message to the squad.
Speaking on his podcast after Liverpool’s 3-0 defeat to Nottingham Forest, Rooney questioned Salah’s effort off the ball.
“Salah is not helping them defensively. If you’re one of the players on the bench and you’ve seen him not running… what message does that send to you?”
Salah failed to score or assist in the match, continuing a dip in form that has drawn increasing scrutiny.
Rooney’s comments come as Liverpool endures a difficult spell. The Reds are 11th in the Premier League and have managed just one victory in their last seven league fixtures. This slump has raised concerns about the balance of the team and the performances of senior players like Salah.
Rooney acknowledged the emotional weight of Diogo Jota’s recent serious injury but insisted that Liverpool must still show determination.
“There’s no excuse for not fighting,” he added.
Rooney also warned that Arne Slot is facing inevitable comparisons to Jurgen Klopp, who transformed Liverpool during his tenure. He likened Slot’s situation to the difficult years Manchester United endured following Sir Alex Ferguson’s departure.
“It’s a bit like the presence with Sir Alex Ferguson,” Rooney said.
He urged supporters to “move away from that and get behind him,” noting that Klopp’s influence still “looms over” the current manager.
Rooney’s remarks add pressure on Salah and the entire Liverpool squad as they seek a turnaround in form.
