Summary:
- Liverpool lost 3-0 to Nottingham Forest, leaving them 11th in the Premier League after a poor run of results.
- Rooney suggested manager Arne Slot might need to bench Salah to motivate the rest of the squad.
- The team continues to struggle post-Klopp, with injuries and new signings failing to lift performances.
Liverpool’s struggles continued on Saturday as they fell 3-0 at home to Nottingham Forest, prompting former Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney to make a bold suggestion: it might be time for manager Arne Slot to drop Mohamed Salah.
“Salah Is Not Helping Them Defensively”
Salah, who has scored five goals this season, went through another game without contributing a goal or assist.
Rooney argued on his podcast that a tough call could send a message to the rest of the squad.
If I was Slot, I’d try and make a big decision just so it has an impact on the rest of the team. Salah is not helping them defensively. If you’re one of the players who they’ve signed and you’re on the bench and you’ve seen him not running, and again he’s a club legend and everything he’s done for the club, but if you’re on the bench, then what message does that send to you?
“No Excuse For Not Fighting”
The 33-year-old Egyptian had a record-breaking season last term, becoming the first player in Premier League history to finish top for both goals and assists while also winning player of the season. His form coincided with a strong start for Slot, who guided Liverpool to the title after taking over from Jurgen Klopp.
This season, however, has been far from smooth. After a summer transfer spree that brought in Florian Wirtz and Alexander Isak for a combined £241 million, Liverpool have struggled to find consistency.
They sit 11th in the Premier League, with 18 points from 12 games. Rooney suggested part of the problem could be the effect of injuries to key players, but emphasized there’s no excuse for a lack of effort.
They’re going through a hard time, aren’t they?. You’ve probably got to look at the effect of what sadly happened to Jota. That surely has to have an effect. But then there’s no excuse for not fighting and not tackling.
The shadow of Klopp looms over Slot, especially after Liverpool have won just one of their last seven league matches. Captain Virgil van Dijk stressed that everyone in the team must take responsibility, but Rooney noted the comparisons are inevitable.
When he has a run of results like this, Klopp’s name keeps getting brought up. It’s a bit like the presence with Sir Alex Ferguson. When David Moyes came in or Louis Van Gaal, Fergie’s name would always get brought up. With Slot, Klopp keeps getting brought up. ‘He’s not Jurgen Klopp, he’s not as good as Jurgen Klopp.’ But I think the Liverpool fans just need to move away from that and get behind him.
Rooney’s comments underline a growing impatience around Liverpool’s attack, but also a recognition that Slot’s rebuilding job is far from over. With key players underperforming and high expectations hanging over Anfield, tough decisions may be needed to get the team back on track.
Can Liverpool get their season back on track or will Slot be sacrificed for the team’s dreadful defence to their Premier League title? Get all the odds from the Best Non UK Betting Sites.