‘Salah not helping’ – Rooney calls for ‘big’ decision

Liverpool manager Arne Slot should drop Mohamed Salah, says former Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney.

Saturday’s 3-0 home defeat to Nottingham Forest was another game in which the Egyptian, who has scored five times this season, failed to register a goal or assist.

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“If I was Slot, I would try to make a big decision just so it would impact the rest of the team,” Rooney said in his latest podcast episode.

“Salah doesn’t help them defensively.

“If you’re one of the players they signed and you’re on the bench and you saw him not running – and again, he’s a legend of the club and everything he’s done for the club – but if you’re on the bench, then what message does that send you?

The 33-year-old became the first player in Premier League history to finish a season with the most goals and assists and won Player of the Season last season.

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His dazzling form coincided with a successful first season in charge for Slot, as he guided Liverpool to the title after taking over from Jurgen Klopp.

After a busy summer transfer window – including the arrivals of Florian Wirtz and Alexander Isak for a combined spend of £241million – the Reds have struggled.

Liverpool are in 11th place in the table, with 18 points from 12 matches.

“They’re going through a tough time, aren’t they?” added five-time Premier League winner Rooney.

“You probably have to look at the effect of what unfortunately happened to Jota. What effect does it have on the players because they are his teammates? Surely it must have an effect.

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“But there’s no excuse not to fight and attack.”

‘Klopp’s name keeps coming up’

Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk said after Saturday’s defeat that “everyone in the team has to take responsibility” and with Slot’s side having just one win in their last seven league matches, the shadow of his predecessor is starting to loom over the Dutchman.

“I think Slot has a big job to do to get them back to playing and winning,” Rooney said.

“The most important thing is that when he gets a series of results like this, Klopp’s name continues to come up.

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“It’s a bit like the presence of Sir Alex Ferguson. For example, when David Moyes arrived [at Manchester United] And [Louis] Van Gaal, Fergie’s name would always be mentioned.

“With Slot, Klopp keeps rising. ‘He’s not Jurgen Klopp, he’s not as good as Jurgen Klopp.’

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

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