Former Manchester United forward Wayne Rooney has offered a bold piece of advice to Liverpool boss Arne Slot after the reigning Premier League champions’ latest defeat to Nottingham Forest.
Rooney believes Slot needs to send a message to the rest of the Liverpool squad by making some really tough decisions that will include dropping talismanic Egyptian forward Mohamed Salah from the starting XI.
Salah is currently experiencing one of his toughest campaigns in a Liverpool shirt, managing just four goals in 12 league outings, compared to the 10 he had at this stage last term.
With the Egyptian’s attacking output dipping, attention has turned to his defensive contribution, or the noticeable lack of it. Slot has openly acknowledged that his star forward operates under a different set of instructions, designed to preserve his energy for decisive moments in the final third.
Even so, opponents have increasingly begun to exploit the wide areas that Salah consistently leaves exposed and for Rooney, it may just be time for Slot to make an example out of the club talisman.
“Salah is not helping them defensively,” he said on his self-titled podcast.
“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?
“If I was Slot, I’d try and make a big decision just so it has an impact on the rest of the team.” When asked by Kelly Somers to clarify if he meant dropping Salah, Rooney confirmed that was his stance.
“When you’re not winning games, you want to try and stay compact and hard to beat, so I think while they’re going through this period, 100% he needs to make a decision.”
Whether Slot will heed Rooney’s advice remains uncertain but one undeniable fact is that something has to change at Liverpool as their current position on the Premier League standings is a far cry from what many expect.
Olaoluwa is a dedicated sports writer and passionate football enthusiast with two years of experience. Known for his keen analysis and commitment to the game, his work reflects a deep love for football, blending strategic insight with the emotional moments that make it a global passion. He is focused on honing his skills and consistently aims to inspire and engage readers through every article he writes.
