Wayne Rooney urges Arne Slot to drop Mohamed Salah as Liverpool's form dips
Wayne Rooney urges Liverpool manager Arne Slot to bench Mohamed Salah amid a challenging run, suggesting a bold call could reset the team's rhythm and momentum.
Liverpool’s season has hit a rough patch, and Wayne Rooney believes it’s time for a bold move from Arne Slot. After a 3-0 defeat to Nottingham Forest, Rooney thinks Salah’s form and work rate should be reassessed to salvage the campaign.
Rooney's call to rethink Salah's role
Rooney told INLIBER Sport that Slot should consider benching Salah to inject urgency and balance into the attack. He noted Salah's limited defensive contribution and said that seeing the club's all-time great on the bench could spark a response from teammates.
Team context and injuries
The defeat came amid a challenging start to Slot's tenure after a busy transfer window. Signings such as Florian Wirtz and Alexander Isak arrived for around £241 million, but Liverpool sit 11th with 18 points from 12 games. Jota’s injury has also disrupted the forward line, influencing decisions around Salah.
Klopp’s shadow and leadership questions
Captain Virgil van Dijk urged accountability across the squad after the Forest loss. Rooney suggested that Slot faces a delicate task because Klopp’s legacy looms large in discussions about Liverpool’s direction, and fans must back Slot as he builds a new era.
Key Takeaways
- Rooney advocates benching Salah to spark a response and rebalance the side.
- Liverpool's form has dropped, with 18 points from 12 games, placing them 11th.
- Slot faces pressure to align new signings and a wounded forward line, while Klopp’s shadow lingers in the debate.
Expert comment: A respected football analyst says Slot must balance immediate results with long-term strategy, and that a calculated rotation could unlock Liverpool’s attacking rhythm if the rest of the system adjusts.
Summary
The debate around Mohamed Salah’s role mirrors Liverpool’s broader challenge of integrating new signings and rebuilding under Slot. While Salah remains a club legend, the manager’s options may require bold moves to restore momentum. Virgil van Dijk’s call for collective accountability underscores the need for a shared reset as the team looks for consistency.
Key insight: A bold decision on Salah could redefine Liverpool's rhythm under Slot, especially with Klopp’s legacy in the background. Source: BBC Sport
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