Rooney Accuses Salah of Ego Issues as Liverpool’s Form Collapses

Oct 7, 2025 - 12:52

Liverpool’s recent dip in form has drawn sharp criticism from Wayne Rooney, who has accused Mohamed Salah of letting his ego affect his performances during the club’s three game losing streak.

The Reds have slipped from the Premier League summit after back-to-back defeats in London and a costly Champions League setback against Galatasaray. With Arsenal now top, Rooney believes Salah has failed to provide the leadership and work rate expected from one of the league’s biggest stars.

Speaking on The Wayne Rooney Show, the Manchester United legend said: “Top players always have an ego and Salah has earned that status. But when things aren’t going your way, that’s when your attitude matters most. In the Chelsea game, he didn’t track back, and his full-back was left exposed. That’s not acceptable.”

Rooney urged Liverpool’s senior figures, including Captain Virgil van Dijk, to demand more from their talisman. “You expect players like Van Dijk to pull him up on that to say, ‘we need everyone working.’ Over the last week, Salah has looked a bit lost. That’s worrying for a side that relies so heavily on his influence.”

The former England striker also questioned Arne Slot’s tactical approach during the 2–1 defeat at Stamford Bridge but believes the upcoming international break comes at the right time. “Slot’s a smart coach. He’ll learn from this.

Maybe shifting Salah inside or rotating wide options could’ve helped. Now he’s got a pause to reflect and reset before the next run of games.” Liverpool’s once bright start to the season has turned uncertain, but with time to regroup, Slot and his stars including Salah will be under pressure to respond when domestic action resumes.

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ABAYO Bonheur ABAYO Bonheur is a professional sports journalist with extensive experience across multiple radio stations and digital platforms. He holds a degree in Journalism and Communication from the University of Rwanda, where he honed his skills in reporting, storytelling mainly documentaries. Throughout his career, Bonheur has gained both tangible experiences in live broadcasting and reporting, as well as the ability to maintain anonymity when covering sensitive stories. His versatility allows him to produce insightful, accurate, and engaging content across a variety of sports, earning him recognition for professionalism and reliability in the field.