Manchester United legend Wayne Rooney has delivered a scathing assessment of Liverpool's current crisis, issuing a stark warning to new manager Arne Slot after a dismal run of form sees the club languishing in 11th place in the Premier League.
The criticism comes in the wake of yet another defeat, which marks six losses in Liverpool's last seven league outings. Rooney did not hold back, pinpointing several key areas where the team is failing and singling out some of its biggest names for underperformance.
Rooney's Call to Drop Salah and Defensive Concerns
One of Rooney's most significant recommendations was for Arne Slot to consider dropping star forward Mohamed Salah. He argued that such a bold move could be necessary to 'send a message' to the rest of the squad.
Rooney specifically highlighted the Egyptian's lack of defensive contribution as a major problem. 'Salah is not helping them defensively,' Rooney stated. 'If you're one of the players who they've signed and you're on the bench and you've seen him not running... what message does that send to you?'
Leadership and Fight Questioned
Beyond Salah, Rooney turned his attention to the team's leadership core. He expressed particular concern over post-match comments from captain Virgil van Dijk, who had spoken about teammates lacking fight.
Rooney suggested it is a worrying sign when a captain feels the need to publicly question his team's commitment. He emphasised that the responsibility falls on the 'leaders in that dressing room' to step up and address the issues of not winning second balls or challenges.
A Warning from Recent History
Looking at the broader picture, Rooney drew a worrying parallel for Liverpool fans. He warned that if the poor form continues unchecked, the club risks a 'Manchester United situation,' where they could slip down the table in a manner similar to the domestic struggles experienced by both Manchester United and Tottenham last season.
While acknowledging the potential emotional impact of the tragic passing of former player Diogo Jota, Rooney was adamant that there is 'no excuse for not fighting and not tackling.' His comments, made on November 24th, 2025, present a formidable early challenge for Arne Slot as he looks to steady the ship at Anfield.
