Former Manchester United forward Wayne Rooney believes Liverpool boss Arne Slot should consider leaving Mohamed Salah out of the starting lineup. Rooney argued on his podcast that the Egyptian star, who has five goals this season but did not contribute in the 3-0 loss to Nottingham Forest, is currently falling short in his defensive duties.
Former Manchester United forward Wayne Rooney believes Liverpool boss Arne Slot should consider leaving Mohamed Salah out of the starting lineup. Rooney argued on his podcast that the Egyptian star, who has five goals this season but did not contribute in the 3-0 loss to Nottingham Forest, is currently falling short in his defensive duties.
He noted that such moments can influence the morale of new signings who remain on the bench while a senior figure displays limited work off the ball.
According to Rooney, this situation sends mixed signals to squad members fighting for a place in the lineup.
Salah, now 33, finished last season with the league’s highest combined tally of goals and assists, earning the division’s top individual award. His performances played a major role in Slot’s first campaign at Liverpool, which ended with the club lifting the Premier League title after the departure of Jürgen Klopp.
Despite a summer marked by major signings, including Florian Wirtz and Alexander Isak for £241 million together, Liverpool has been unable to find rhythm. With only 18 points collected from their opening 12 matches, the team sits 11th in the standings.
Rooney suggested that the squad may still be dealing with emotional effects linked to the tragic incident involving Diogo Jota, which could be influencing their mindset. However, he insisted that the players must still show commitment in their duels and defensive efforts.
Captain Virgil van Dijk stated after the Forest defeat that everyone must accept responsibility for the slide.
Liverpool have only managed one victory in their last seven league games, raising questions around consistency under the new manager.
The downturn has contributed to increased comparisons between Slot and his predecessor.
Rooney pointed out that, much like Sir Alex Ferguson’s legacy was repeatedly referenced after his retirement at Manchester United, Klopp’s era is frequently mentioned during difficult stretches for Slot. He said the constant comparisons make the job harder for the Dutch coach, who is still trying to steady the team.
Rooney urged supporters to avoid dwelling on Klopp’s accomplishments and instead focus on supporting the current manager.
He added that Slot faces a significant test in restoring both performance levels and results.
