Wayne Rooney has questioned Liverpool’s leadership as the reigning Premier League champions endure a miserable run of form under Arne Slot.
The Reds suffered their fourth consecutive league defeat with a 3–2 loss to Brentford on Saturday, leaving them seventh in the table and seven points adrift of leaders Arsenal. It marks their worst start to a season in over a decade, and Rooney believes the problem runs deeper than tactics or form.
Speaking on The Wayne Rooney Show, the former England captain pointed to concerning signs from senior figures Virgil van Dijk and Mohamed Salah, whose influence, he argued, has waned during Liverpool’s slump.
“No one saw this coming,” Rooney said. “It’s hit them quick, it’s hit them hard, and I think they’re struggling to find a way out. This is a time when the leaders in that team need to step up. Van Dijk and Salah have signed new deals, but they haven’t really led that team this season.”
Rooney added that the pair’s body language reflects a team low on belief. “If their body language isn’t right, it affects everyone else. If I were a Liverpool fan, I’d be very concerned.”
GFN | Finn Entwistle
