Jamie Carragher hits back at Wayne Rooney as Mo Salah sent clear message

Former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher has hit back at Manchester United icon Wayne Rooney's comments regarding Mohamed Salah's recent disappointing form for the Reds

Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher has hit back at Wayne Rooney's comments on Mohamed Salah with a clear message of his own for the Egyptian. The former Everton and Manchester United striker questioned Salah's work ethic in the Reds' defeat to Chelsea prior to the international break.

Rooney called on the Liverpool talisman get back and help his team out more defensively, adding that experienced players like Virgil Van Dijk should be asking more from the Egyptian, claiming he looks lost. Salah has two goals and two assists in seven Premier League fixtures this season, but has not looked his imperious self in recent weeks.

Writing in his column for The Telegraph, Carragher said: "There are valid causes for concern following recent performances.

"There are also valuable lessons from Salah’s career which serve as a warning to those prematurely predicting a decline.

"Do not write off Salah too soon because he has a habit of making criticism look silly."

Liverpool have lost three games in a row in all competitions heading into the international break, losing to Crystal Palace and Chelsea in the Premier League.

Those results have allowed title rivals Arsenal to claim top spot, with a defeat to Galatasaray in the Champions League sandwiched in between those top-flight defeats.

It's not just the Egyptian who has struggled for Liverpool so far this season; new arrivals Alexander Isak and Florian Wirtz are also not at their fluid best.

There's a belief from some outside of Anfield that Slot does not know how to get the best out of his new stars, while still accomodating Salah.

"Slot left Salah out of the first tricky Champions League away game in Galatasaray," Carragher continued before sending a warning to both the Reds and the Egyptian.

"With Salah unavailable when he joins Egypt in mid-season, Liverpool must get used to being without him.

"Salah must start to accept he may not start every week upon his return, which is never easy for such a high-profile, world-class player.

"Sooner or later Liverpool must move beyond Salah and enter the era of Alexander Isak and Florian Wirtz. Just do not bet against Salah making that later rather than sooner."

The Reds are back in top flight action this Sunday when they take on Manchester United at Anfield, looking to pile the pressure back on Ruben Amorim's side and fellow title rivals Arsenal.