Wayne Rooney urges Arne Slot to drop Mohamed Salah for defensive issues

Wayne Rooney, former Manchester United star, has called on Liverpool manager Arne Slot to leave Egyptian forward Mohamed Salah out of the starting lineup, hoping to spark a turnaround for the struggling Premier League side.

The comments followed Liverpool’s 3-0 loss to Nottingham Forest, their sixth defeat in the past seven league matches, which saw them slip to eleventh in the standings.

Rooney pointed out that Salah failed to score or assist during the match and criticized his lack of defensive contribution. Speaking on “The Wayne Rooney Show,” he said, “Salah doesn’t help the team defensively. If I were a new signing and saw teammates not putting in the effort to track back, how would I feel? I know he’s a club legend, but if I were on the bench, what message does it send to see someone not chasing the ball yet starting every game?”

Rooney suggested that when results aren’t coming, a bold decision is needed to restore discipline and make the team harder to beat. He believes Salah could return to the lineup once Liverpool finds their edge again and hopes the move would motivate the whole squad.

Rooney also criticized other senior players’ performances, insisting they must lead by example and help rebuild a winning mentality within the team.