Former Manchester United and England striker Wayne Rooney has issued a provocative challenge to Liverpool manager Arne Slot, urging him to make a “big decision” by dropping club legend Mohamed Salah. Rooney argues that sidelining the Egyptian forward is necessary to reset the struggling team’s mentality and bolster their defensive commitment.
Rooney’s comments follow Liverpool’s disappointing 3-0 home defeat to Nottingham Forest on Saturday, another fixture in which Salah failed to register a goal or an assist. Though the 33-year-old has scored five times this season, his recent performances have mirrored the team’s downward spiral.
“If I was Slot, I’d try and make a big decision just so it has an impact on the rest of the team,” Rooney stated on his latest podcast episode.
The Defensive Compromise
The core of Rooney’s criticism lies in Salah’s perceived lack of effort off the ball, which he believes sends a negative signal to his teammates.
“Salah is not helping them defensively,” Rooney contended. “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?”
Crisis Deepens After Transfer Spree
The call to drop one of the Premier League’s most decorated players comes as Liverpool endures a stark decline after a successful first season under Slot, which included winning the league title.
Despite a major summer investment, including the high-profile arrivals of Florian Wirtz and Alexander Isak for a combined £241 million, the Reds have stumbled badly. They currently sit 11th in the Premier League table with only 18 points from 12 matches.
Rooney acknowledged the challenging atmosphere surrounding the club, citing the emotional toll of injuries, such as the situation involving Diogo Jota. However, he stressed that there are “no excuses for not fighting and not tackling,” demanding a minimum level of effort from every player, regardless of their status.
The decision now rests with Slot: stick with his star player, or risk alienating the dressing room by making the seismic change Rooney suggests.
