Rooney: Salah ‘Not Helping’ – Calls for Slot to Drop Liverpool Star

Rooney Says Salah “Not Helping” – Calls for Bold Action at Liverpool

Wayne Rooney has urged Liverpool manager Arne Slot to make a “big decision” by dropping Mohamed Salah, accusing the Egyptian star of offering little help on the defensive side during Liverpool’s ongoing slump.

The remarks came during the latest episode of Rooney’s podcast, following Liverpool’s 3-0 home defeat to Nottingham Forest, a result that deepened concerns around the team’s form and direction under Slot.

Rooney: Salah “Not Helping Them Defensively”

Salah, who has five goals this season, has failed to register a goal or assist in multiple recent games, and Rooney believes it’s time for a shake-up.

“If I was Slot, I’d try and make a big decision just so it has an impact on the rest of the team,” said the former Manchester United striker.

“Salah is not helping them defensively… if you’re a new signing on the bench watching him not run, what message does that send you?”

Despite being hailed as a Liverpool legend, Rooney argues that sentiment should not override performance:

“He’s a club legend and everything he’s done for the club is unbelievable — but you have to set standards.”

Liverpool’s Struggles Under Slot

Jurgen Klopp spent nine years as Liverpool manager (2015-2024), winning the Premier League in the 2019-20 season

After winning the Premier League title in Slot’s first season in charge, expectations were high. The club backed him heavily in the summer transfer window, bringing in Florian Wirtz and Alexander Isak for a combined £241 million.

But the Reds have only one win in their last seven league matches and sit 11th in the Premier League table with 18 points from 12 games.

Impact of Jota’s Tragedy?

Rooney also acknowledged that emotional factors might be influencing Liverpool’s form, particularly the tragedy involving Diogo Jota.

“You’ve probably got to look at the effect of what sadly happened to Jota,” he said. “That surely has to have an effect… but there’s still no excuse for not fighting or tackling.”

Klopp’s Legacy Looms Large

Rooney noted that Slot faces the same problem many Manchester United managers did after Sir Alex Ferguson’s exit—being stuck in the shadow of a club icon.

“With Slot, Klopp keeps getting brought up. ‘He’s not Jurgen Klopp, he’s not as good as Jurgen Klopp’,” Rooney explained.

“I think the Liverpool fans just need to move away from that and get behind him.”

Van Dijk: “Everyone Must Take Responsibility”

Following the Forest loss, Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk said:

“Everyone in the team has to take responsibility.”

With Klopp’s shadow growing, pressure is mounting on Arne Slot to stabilize the team, redefine leadership, and possibly make bold calls like benching Salah to reset the tone of the campaign.