Wayne Rooney has publicly blamed Mohamed Salah for Liverpool’s recent slump, arguing the forward is not contributing enough defensively and suggesting manager Arne Slot should consider dropping him.
The Criticism
Former Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney has criticized Liverpool star Mohamed Salah, claiming the Egyptian forward’s lack of defensive work is hurting the team. Speaking after Liverpool’s 3–0 home defeat to Nottingham Forest, Rooney said Salah’s performances have not matched his reputation, despite scoring five times this season The Punch.
Rooney argued that Salah’s body language and effort levels send the wrong message to teammates, especially new signings who remain on the bench. “Salah is not helping them defensively,” Rooney said, adding that Slot may need to make a “big decision” by leaving him out of the starting lineup to jolt the squad into better form The Punch.
Liverpool’s Struggles
Liverpool’s defeat to Forest marked another setback in a season where they have struggled to maintain consistency. The Reds have slipped down the Premier League table, with critics pointing to poor performances from senior players.
Rooney has previously questioned the attitude of both Salah and Virgil van Dijk, suggesting their body language since signing lucrative new contracts has been “a big concern” Daily Mail Goal.
Wider Context
Salah remains a club legend, having scored over 200 goals for Liverpool since joining in 2017.
However, his recent form has been patchy, with limited impact in key matches.
Manager Arne Slot faces mounting pressure to revive Liverpool’s season, with pundits debating whether dropping Salah could spark a turnaround.
Reactions
Rooney’s comments have divided opinion among fans and analysts. While some agree Salah has looked off the pace, others argue that blaming him alone ignores deeper tactical and squad issues.
Liverpool supporters remain hopeful that Salah can rediscover his form, but the debate highlights growing frustration as the team struggles to compete at the top level.
