Former Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney has suggested Liverpool manager Arne Slot consider benching Mohamed Salah following Saturday’s stunning 3-0 loss to Nottingham Forest.
Salah, who has scored five goals so far this season, went through the match without registering a goal or assist, raising questions about his defensive work rate and influence on the pitch.
“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 said in his latest podcast.
“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?”
Last season, the 33-year-old made Premier League history by finishing with the most goals and assists and claiming the Player of the Season award.
His brilliance on the field coincided with Slot’s first year in charge, which saw Liverpool lift the league title after Jurgen Klopp’s departure.
But this season has been a struggle. Even after a busy summer transfer window that brought in Florian Wirtz and Alexander Isak for a combined £241 million, Liverpool find themselves 11th in the table with just 18 points from 12 games.
“They’re going through a hard time, aren’t they?” Rooney added. “You’ve probably got to look at the effect of what sadly happened to Jota. What effect does that have on the players because that’s his teammates? That surely has to have an effect. But then there’s no excuse for not fighting and not tackling.”
