Wayne Rooney urges Arne Slot to drop Mohamed Salah as Liverpool stumble

Liverpool’s form has dipped, and Wayne Rooney believes a bold squad decision might help the team regain balance. He argues that Mohamed Salah should be benched by Arne Slot as the Reds wrestle with a string of disappointing results.

The club were beaten 3-0 at home by Nottingham Forest, a setback that left Salah without a goal or an assist for another match. In his latest podcast episode, Rooney suggested Slot could shake things up by making a tough call that could impact the rest of the squad.

Rooney pointed out that Salah often contributes at the attacking end but offers little defensively in certain fixtures. He added that watching a club icon ride the bench could send a clear message to teammates who are eager for more responsibility, even if Salah remains a revered figure at Anfield.

The 33-year-old finished last season with a remarkable tally of goals and assists, earning broad recognition for his role in Liverpool’s title-winning campaign under Jurgen Klopp. Slot’s first season in charge coincided with a confident title run, making the current troubles particularly stark for the supporters.

Liverpool’s summer window brought big-name additions, including Florian Wirtz and Alexander Isak, in a combined outlay of around £241 million. Yet the team currently sits 11th in the Premier League with 18 points from 12 games, highlighting a rough patch that has fans and pundits alike asking questions.

“This is a hard spell for them,” Rooney said. “You can’t ignore what happened to Jota and how that affects the rest of the squad. Still, there’s no excuse for a lack of fight or poor tackling.”

Pressure and perception around Slot

Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk stressed that everyone must take responsibility after the Forest defeat, as Slot works to steady a group that has won only one league game in seven. Rooney warned that the club’s culture must not be overshadowed by comparisons to Klopp, noting the persistent talk of Klopp’s shadow in press and fan discourse.

“Slot has a big job to get them back into form and winning, and the conversation about Klopp will continue while results lag,” Rooney added. “The fans need to back him and stay patient while the project develops.”

For more insight, watch Wayne Rooney’s reflections on INLIBER Sport’s YouTube channel or listen on INLIBER Sounds.

What this means for Liverpool moving forward

The club faces a pivotal period as Slot reassesses his starting lineup and tactical approach. With a congested schedule ahead and a need to rebuild confidence, Liverpool will be judged on how quickly they translate potential into results.

Key Takeaways

• Liverpool’s 3-0 loss to Nottingham Forest intensified questions about Salah’s role and defensive contribution.
• Wayne Rooney urges a bold decision from Arne Slot to shift the squad’s dynamics and provoke a response from the team.
• Liverpool’s league position (11th) and the heavy transfer spend amplify the pressure on Slot to deliver immediate improvement.
• The debate around Klopp’s era continues to cast a long shadow, even as Slot looks to establish his own leadership.

Expert comment

Expert note: Slot’s future hinges on finding a balance between attack and defense and building a hungry squad culture. A decisive run of results is essential to quiet the critics and solidify his plan.

Summary

Wayne Rooney’s critique highlights a moment of reflection for Liverpool as they adapt to Slot’s management and the aftermath of injuries and transfers. The team must translate potential into consistent performances while navigating high expectations. The coming fixtures will test Slot’s leadership and the squad’s resilience as they seek to climb the table.

Key insight: A strategic rethink is needed at Liverpool to restore balance and momentum, with the squad taking responsibility and Slot delivering decisive changes. Source

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