Rooney urges major call on Salah as Liverpool face mounting pressure
Liverpool’s recent downturn has drawn scrutiny from across the football landscape, but few comments have cut through quite like Wayne Rooney’s suggestion that Arne Slot should consider leaving Mohamed Salah out of his starting XI. The former England forward used his latest podcast appearance to argue that Liverpool’s attacking talisman is currently offering too little to justify an automatic place during a period where the team is searching for solutions.
Rooney questions Salah’s contribution amid Liverpool’s slide
Liverpool’s 3-0 defeat at home to Nottingham Forest highlighted familiar concerns. Salah, who has found the net five times this season, was again unable to influence the contest with either a goal or assist. For Rooney, that lack of productivity is only part of the story.
“If I was Slot, I’d try and make a big decision just so it has an impact on the rest of the team,” he said. He added that “Salah is not helping them defensively,” pointing to visible frustration from squad members waiting for opportunities on the bench. “If you’re one of the players who they’ve signed and you’re on the bench and you’ve seen him not running… what message does that send to you?”
Those remarks go beyond momentary criticism. They touch on a wider debate around balance, standards and the cultural shift Liverpool are experiencing under their new head coach.
Liverpool search for answers after a stuttering start
Last season, Salah delivered one of the most extraordinary campaigns in Premier League history, finishing with the highest combined total of goals and assists. His brilliance played a central role in Slot’s triumphant first year, which culminated in Liverpool reclaiming the league title.
Yet despite that foundation, the club has struggled to recapture rhythm following a sizeable summer rebuild. Major investment brought in Florian Wirtz and Alexander Isak, contributing to a spend of £241m, but early returns have been uneven. With 18 points from 12 matches and only one win in their last seven league fixtures, Liverpool sit 11th and searching for momentum.
Rooney believes the team’s recent struggles cannot be explained purely through tactical or technical issues. He referenced the emotional burden still weighing on the squad after the tragic loss of a teammate earlier this year. “That surely has to have an effect,” he said. “But then there’s no excuse for not fighting and not tackling.”
Klopp comparisons cast long shadow over Slot’s tenure
Following the defeat to Forest, Virgil van Dijk stressed the need for shared responsibility within the squad. Those comments came as scrutiny grows around Slot, whose early months in charge are being measured against the era-defining work of his predecessor.
Rooney drew parallels with managers who succeeded Sir Alex Ferguson, suggesting that lingering comparisons can disrupt progress. “When he has a run of results like this, Klopp’s name keeps getting brought up,” he said. “He’s not Jurgen Klopp, he’s not as good as Jurgen Klopp. But I think the Liverpool fans just need to move away from that and get behind him.”
For Slot, forging his own identity remains essential. While Liverpool’s form has dipped, the long-term picture will depend on how effectively he can manage high-profile players, evolve the tactical blueprint and withstand external pressure during difficult moments.
Big decisions loom as Liverpool seek recovery
Whether Rooney’s call to drop Salah is viewed as provocative or practical, it captures a sentiment increasingly echoed among observers: Liverpool need a reset. Slot now faces the challenge of balancing seniority, squad dynamics and the quest for improved performances. The coming weeks may prove pivotal in shaping both the team’s trajectory and the manager’s authority during a turbulent chapter.
