Wayne Rooney believes Liverpool’s poor start to the season stems from a lack of leadership within the squad.
The defending Premier League champions have been on a difficult run, suffering four straight league defeats and slipping to seventh place, seven points adrift of leaders Arsenal.
Their latest setback — a 3-2 loss to Brentford on Saturday — came after defeats to Crystal Palace, Chelsea, and Manchester United, extending what has become a fruitless spell for Arne Slot’s side.
Liverpool have now become just the fourth reigning Premier League champions to lose four consecutive games.
Speaking on The Wayne Rooney Show, the five-time Premier League winner cited the poor attitude of Liverpool’s key figures, particularly captain Virgil van Dijk and star forward Mohamed Salah.
“No-one has seen this coming, it’s hit them quick, it’s hit them hard and I think they’re struggling to find a way out of it,” Rooney said.
“This is a time where the manager and the leaders in the team need to figure it out very quickly.”
Rooney questioned whether Van Dijk and Salah have truly stepped up as leaders this season, despite both recently committing their futures to the club.
Despite coming under scrutiny, Salah has netted three Premier League goals so far this season, including one on Saturday, making him Liverpool’s top scorer.
“Van Dijk and Salah, they’ve signed new deals but I don’t think they’ve really led that team this season,” he continued.
“I think body language tells you a lot, and I think we’re seeing slightly different body language from the two of them. They are the top two players in that team and if their body language is not right, that affects everyone else.
“I might be wrong on this, but if I was a Liverpool fan or the manager, that would be a big concern for me.”
HarryJarrad
0
Liverpool are losing because other teams are playing better it happens in sport not all these other excuses. And the other reason obviously being Ekitike is the only signing who was good value for money and others were just overpriced.
your not listening to what I'm saying, of course teams playing better than Liverpool but if u saw the same players this time last season to now you'd notice just in attitude alone. it's not an excuse because they are not using as well one but it has been clearly affecting them. u have a mate die young you'd understand which u don't which why u think I'm making excuses....life can be difficult sometimes, I'm just showing love and appreciation for that because I know how that feels
hibklmotu
0
if you're coach who's you know what you are doing when you see your system is not suiting with the team you going back that is suiting before but slot hi is still same which means he is know nothing in football must go please
hibklmotu
0
rubbish coach with him stupidity System
hibklmotu
0
yes slot he don't know him Job please if he have mind just leave your self
hibklmotu
0
and we need Slot out of Liverpool team immediately before it is too late
The_Phoenix
0
not one player has made that excuse.....dealing with the death of a mate doesn't take months to get over let alone when they die young, I know how that's personaly feels, and no u don't make it an excuse but that doesn't mean it's not affecting them hard. it's not pretty to see this.... It'll be no different Chelsea or Man utd dealing with the same issue my opinion would not change
Liverpool are losing because other teams are playing better it happens in sport not all these other excuses. And the other reason obviously being Ekitike is the only signing who was good value for money and others were just overpriced.
baneklnu
0
they'll say anything to why Liverpool are playing like crap other than the obvious..... people have moved on which is fair enough, but they still having to cope with it.....just sad to see most "experts" can't tell that's or even worse, pretending the problem doesn't exist
king and sapoti Liverpool
baneklnu
0
Liverpool good evening how are you my name is kings mankishi in katuyola
Lovebug2
0
Yes indeed
Sundeilmpr
0
Rooney this, Rooney that. but give a job and he will blow it.
vunkmotuyz
1
every time rooney is busy blaming others when is he going to congratulate others
kandmopty
0
Best lineup both of them just bring Fabregas as manager
kandmopty
0
Best lineup with this manager
HarryJarrad
0
😂 still riding on the Diogo Jota train man that’s no excuse. Liverpool in not invincible, other teams learn and adapt as well that’s why this season City is losing left and right, Same with Chelsea so what excuses does Liverpool have, the other teams don’t look for petty reasons when they lose
not one player has made that excuse.....dealing with the death of a mate doesn't take months to get over let alone when they die young, I know how that's personaly feels, and no u don't make it an excuse but that doesn't mean it's not affecting them hard. it's not pretty to see this.... It'll be no different Chelsea or Man utd dealing with the same issue my opinion would not change
The_Phoenix
0
they'll say anything to why Liverpool are playing like crap other than the obvious..... people have moved on which is fair enough, but they still having to cope with it.....just sad to see most "experts" can't tell that's or even worse, pretending the problem doesn't exist
😂 still riding on the Diogo Jota train man that’s no excuse. Liverpool in not invincible, other teams learn and adapt as well that’s why this season City is losing left and right, Same with Chelsea so what excuses does Liverpool have, the other teams don’t look for petty reasons when they lose
benardsteelphiri1997
0
he has won more trophies than anyone in that Liverpool team
true 👍 ✔️ 👍 ✔️
cadamnoy
1
you talk too much you failed coach
he has won more trophies than anyone in that Liverpool team
HarryJarrad
1
they'll say anything to why Liverpool are playing like crap other than the obvious..... people have moved on which is fair enough, but they still having to cope with it.....just sad to see most "experts" can't tell that's or even worse, pretending the problem doesn't exist
Zawbknoruz
1
you talk too much you failed coach