Liverpool manager Arne Slot should drop Mohamed Salah, says former Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney.
Saturday's 3-0 home defeat by Nottingham Forest was another game in which the Egyptian, who has scored five times this season, failed to record a goal or an assist.
"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 Rooney in his latest podcast episode.
"Salah is not helping them defensively.
"If you're one of the players who they've signed and you're on the bench and you've seen him not running - and again he's a club legend and everything he's done for the club - but if you're on the bench, then what message does that send to you?"
The 33-year-old became the first player in Premier League history to finish a season with the most goals and assists and win the player of the season award last term.
His dazzling form coincided with a successful first season in charge for Slot, as he guided Liverpool to the title after succeeding Jurgen Klopp.
After a busy summer transfer window - including the arrivals of Florian Wirtz and Alexander Isak for a combined outlay of £241m - the Reds have struggled.
Liverpool sit 11th in the table, with 18 points from 12 games.
"They're going through a hard time, aren't they?" added five-time Premier League winner Rooney.
"You've probably got to look at the effect of what sadly happened to Jota. What effect does that have on the players because that's his team-mates? That surely has to have an effect.
"But then there's no excuse for not fighting and not tackling."
'Klopp's name keeps getting brought up'
Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk said after Saturday's loss that "everyone in the team has to take responsibility" and with Slot's team mustering just one win in their past seven league matches, the shadow of his predecessor is beginning to loom over the Dutchman.
"I think Slot's got a big job to get them back playing and winning," said Rooney.
"The big thing is when he has a run of results like this, Klopp's name keeps getting brought up.
"It's a bit like the presence with Sir Alex Ferguson. For instance, when David Moyes came in [at Manchester United] and [Louis] Van Gaal, Fergie's name would always get brought up.
"With Slot, Klopp keeps getting brought up. 'He's not Jurgen Klopp, he's not as good as Jurgen Klopp'.
"But I think the Liverpool fans just need to move away from that and get behind him."
Leealmost
1
salah has no problem problem is SLOT every time a player is on fire he doesn't play that player that is why we loose example chiesa,rio, gomez, Andy robo, sack slot he is sent to destroy team why selling Elliott and Diaz
Vaecimprst
1
Almost every club experiences its downturn every season, Man U has been there already and it's Liverpools turn but surely they come out of it very soon. I pray my darling club Arsenal to have a downtown free season
josdlmtu
0
Salah played the match very well, the team didn't use their chances and were punished by the opponent when they had their chances
Vaecimprst
0
ROONEY did u ever fall back during your playing Days, SALAH is an outright Striker who SCORES & provides ASSIST He will SCORE if he gets defence splitting PASSES
Rooney was a machine in his playing man. He was everywhere on the pitch
gm11
0
ROONEY did u ever fall back during your playing Days, SALAH is an outright Striker who SCORES & provides ASSIST He will SCORE if he gets defence splitting PASSES
Rooney tracked back tho, nd could easily play midfield too. Came back to help many times. Salah doesn't have the work rate Rooney had. Nd if you think so you didn't watch much of Rooney. Salah is a winger not a striker. He should be trackin back.
ice411
0
No worry, e go reach everybody 🤣
wohcdilmnt
0
Salah is Salah The moment you think he's done,he's flopped,he pulls up even with an hatrick,so Rooney,be patient,calmaaa
Susaekosyz
0
ROONEY did u ever fall back during your playing Days, SALAH is an outright Striker who SCORES & provides ASSIST He will SCORE if he gets defence splitting PASSES
yehbceikmp
2
Rooney is speaking a bunch of rubbish. If you watched salah against Nottingham he was probably the best player for Liverpool creating chances, dribbling, even going back to defend. Arne slots substitutions are the issue.
sohainprty
0
truth be told Salah and Isaac should not be starting right now. eketike chiesa and ngemuha were doing well till Isaac came
then you don't watch football. what else do some of you want Salah to do? Did you actually watch the last match?
GunnArs
0
rooney is talking too much 🥱
dotcdlmrt
4
Salah defends. By merely standing away from their box, he occupies at least two players who cannot join in the attack. Any team that ignores that will regret. That's massive defending
princehans671
1
truth be told Salah and Isaac should not be starting right now. eketike chiesa and ngemuha were doing well till Isaac came
hiecdlrsz
0
let dat rest, defend ,
shaffer12
2
No one should even call Salah,The guy has given everything to that team,he wanted to go una say no. So enjoy it like that 😁😁
Lehacdnrt
0
GOOD ADVICE 💯
Richardoghale
0
More suffering coming