Rooney Raises Leadership Concerns Over Van Dijk and Salah Amid Liverpool’s Slump
Liverpool’s stuttering start to the season has prompted strong words from Wayne Rooney, who believes the reigning champions’ dip in form highlights an unsettling absence of leadership. After four consecutive Premier League defeats, questions are being asked of both Virgil van Dijk and Mohamed Salah — two figures whose influence has long defined this era of success at Anfield.
Rooney identifies leadership void at Anfield
Speaking on his own show, Rooney suggested that Liverpool’s issues stem not from tactical confusion but from a lack of visible authority on the pitch. “No one saw this coming,” he remarked, reflecting on a run that has seen Arne Slot’s side fall to Brentford, Crystal Palace, Chelsea and Manchester United. “It’s hit them quick, it’s hit them hard, and I think they’re struggling to find a way out of it.”
Liverpool now sit seven points behind leaders Arsenal, a gap that feels far wider given the Reds’ past dominance. Rooney insisted that senior players must take greater responsibility if Slot is to steady the ship: “This is a time where the manager and the leaders in the team need to figure it out very quickly.”
Van Dijk and Salah under scrutiny
Rooney singled out captain Virgil van Dijk and star forward Mohamed Salah — both of whom signed new contracts earlier this year — as players who have yet to set the required standard. “Van Dijk and Salah, they’ve signed new deals but I don’t think they’ve really led that team this season,” he said. “Body language tells you a lot, and I think we’re seeing slightly different body language from the two of them. They are the top two players in that team and if their body language is not right, that affects everyone else.”
Van Dijk, often the picture of composure, conceded a penalty in the defeat to Brentford — though replays suggested the call may have been harsh. Still, the moment encapsulated the tension and hesitation that have crept into Liverpool’s defensive displays. Meanwhile, Salah’s work rate and output remain high, but his visible frustration in recent weeks mirrors the uncertainty of a side searching for direction.
Slot’s early test of resolve
For Arne Slot, the challenge is now as psychological as it is tactical. The Dutchman’s reputation for clear, attacking football remains intact, but his side’s fragility at key moments has been costly. Liverpool have now conceded first in six consecutive competitive fixtures and have already matched last season’s tally of league defeats after just nine matches.
Despite the setbacks, Liverpool’s attack continues to deliver — they’ve scored in 43 straight league games — but the balance between defence and aggression has clearly been lost. The body language Rooney referenced has been evident in every dropped shoulder and misplaced pass, as senior figures grapple with the weight of expectation.
Rediscovering the identity of champions
If there is one lesson from Liverpool’s past resurgence under pressure, it’s that strong personalities and clear leadership often spark recovery. Van Dijk and Salah remain two of the Premier League’s most influential players — but influence, as Rooney suggested, is as much about demeanour as it is about output.
Arne Slot must now rely on his captain and his talisman to reignite belief. Their response could determine whether this season’s slump is a brief stumble or the beginning of a deeper decline.
