Wayne Rooney calls for Mohamed Salah to be dropped | OneFootball

Wayne Rooney has called on Liverpool manager Arne Slot to consider dropping Mohamed Salah (33), arguing the forward’s lack of defensive work is harming a side already mired in early-season difficulty.

Speaking on his podcast, the former Manchester United striker said Slot “needs an impact moment” to jolt Liverpool out of their slump. Saturday’s 3-0 defeat at home to Nottingham Forest extended the Reds’ winless run and marked another quiet outing for Salah, who has five league goals this season but has not contributed a goal or assist in several weeks.

“If I was Slot, I’d try and make a big decision,” Rooney said. “Salah is not helping them defensively. If you’re sitting on the bench, watching him not run, what message does that send? He’s a club legend, but the manager has to think about the team.”

Salah produced a historic campaign last season, becoming the first player to lead the Premier League in both goals and assists while helping Slot win the title in his first year at Anfield. But after a heavy summer spend, including big-money signings Florian Wirtz and Alexander Isak for £241m, Liverpool have faltered. They sit 11th with 18 points from 12 games.

Rooney also pointed to the emotional toll following the tragedy involving Diogo Jota earlier this season. “That surely has to have an effect,” he said. “But there’s no excuse for not fighting and not tackling.”

Slot has acknowledged Liverpool are in a “very bad spell” and remains under pressure to turn performances around.

GFN | Finn Entwistle