Wayne Rooney pinpoints tactical flaw behind Salah’s Liverpool struggles
Liverpool’s early season slump has sparked intense debate over their tactical identity under Arne Slot, and Wayne Rooney has become the latest to offer his perspective. Following the Reds’ 2-1 defeat to Chelsea, the former England captain suggested that Mohamed Salah’s recent dip in form may be rooted not in finishing, but in a subtle shift within Liverpool’s midfield structure.
Rooney highlights tactical imbalance affecting Salah
Liverpool’s third consecutive loss — sealed by Moises Caicedo’s thunderbolt and Estevão Willian’s late strike — once again left Salah without a goal, extending his barren run to four matches. For a player of his prolific standards, that’s rare territory. Yet Rooney, speaking on Match of the Day, believes the issue runs deeper than personal form.
“I think last season they were consistent in the team, they were consistent in the midfield,” he explained. “They had the three in midfield who were very difficult to play against, and that midfield shuffled across and helped Salah out a lot. Where this season they’ve played with two in midfield and Wirtz in front of that… maybe it’s been a bit unfamiliar for them, and it’s taken more time than expected to fix.”
It’s a tactical observation that resonates with many supporters. Liverpool’s shape, often a 4-2-3-1 hybrid this term, has left Salah isolated on the right, with less overlap from the full-back and fewer midfielders offering cover.
Midfield inconsistency exposing wider problems
Slot’s attempts to impose flexibility have instead led to confusion. With several players operating out of position — and frequent rotations through the centre of the pitch — Liverpool’s once-fluid pressing system has fractured.
This lack of cohesion has not only hurt the team’s defensive balance but also disrupted Salah’s rhythm. Without the compact, aggressive midfield triangle that once fed and protected him, the Egyptian has been forced to drift deeper in search of the ball. The result? Fewer touches in the box and a visible drop in goal threat.
Liverpool’s midfield used to be the foundation of their high-pressing identity — a relentless engine that suffocated opponents and opened space for Salah to thrive. Now, with the press misfiring and possession frequently lost in transition, that rhythm has disappeared.
Tactical tweaks yet to bear fruit
Arne Slot’s decision to experiment with different formations has yet to yield consistency. The Dutchman’s preference for positional rotations and fluid patterns has created instability rather than unpredictability. Dominik Szoboszlai’s recent deployment at right-back, for instance, underlines the level of tactical compromise Liverpool have been forced into.
That experimental approach has made them easier to play against. Opponents, particularly those with dynamic midfields like Chelsea, have found space to exploit — precisely where Liverpool once dominated.
Until Slot re-establishes a settled midfield core, Salah’s influence is likely to remain limited.
Restoring balance key to Salah’s resurgence
For all his tactical ambition, Slot’s biggest challenge may be restoring the collective rhythm that once defined Liverpool’s play. Rooney’s remarks underline a simple truth: Salah’s brilliance is amplified when supported by structure and stability.
Reverting to a familiar three-man midfield, reinstating disciplined pressing, and rediscovering patterns that allow Salah to play higher up the pitch could be crucial in reversing Liverpool’s fortunes.
If those tactical adjustments arrive soon, the Egyptian’s scoring touch — and Liverpool’s identity — may not be far behind.
