‘Salah Not Helping’ – Rooney Calls for Big Decision at Liverpool
Rooney urges Liverpool to take decisive action as Salah struggles amid poor team form
- Wayne Rooney suggests Liverpool manager Arne Slot consider dropping Mohamed Salah to spark the team.
- Salah has scored five goals this season but struggled defensively, raising concerns about his impact.
- Liverpool sit 11th in the Premier League after a difficult start despite a £241m summer transfer spree.
Former Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney has suggested that Liverpool manager Arne Slot should make a bold decision regarding Mohamed Salah’s role in the team.
The call comes after Liverpool’s 3-0 home defeat to Nottingham Forest, in which Salah, who has scored five goals this season, failed to register a goal or assist.
“If I were Slot, I’d try and make a big decision just so it has an impact on the rest of the team,” Rooney said on his latest podcast.
“Salah is not helping them defensively. If you’re a player on the bench seeing him not running—and despite being a club legend—what message does that send?”
The 33-year-old Egyptian forward had an outstanding 2024-25 season, becoming the first player in Premier League history to finish top in both goals and assists while also winning the Player of the Season award. His brilliance coincided with Slot’s successful first season as Liverpool manager, guiding the club to the Premier League title after Jurgen Klopp’s departure.
However, following a busy summer transfer window—featuring the £241m arrivals of Florian Wirtz and Alexander Isak—Liverpool have struggled. The Reds are currently 11th in the table with 18 points from 12 games.
“They’re going through a hard time,” Rooney added. “You’ve got to consider the effect of what happened to Jota—these are his teammates, and that surely has an effect. But there’s no excuse for not fighting and not tackling.”
