Wayne Rooney has pinpointed the reasons behind Liverpool's recent struggles, pointing to the disappointing form of the Reds' two key players, Virgil van Dijk and Mohamed Salah. The former England striker believes that the duo's lackluster performances are a significant concern for manager Arne Slot.
Liverpool enjoyed a successful last season under Slot, winning the Premier League title, but their form has taken a drastic turn for the worse this term. Despite strengthening their squad over the summer, the Reds have suffered four consecutive league defeats, leaving them seven points behind leaders Arsenal.
On his show, The Wayne Rooney Show, Rooney expressed his concerns about the body language of Van Dijk and Salah, stating that it has a significant impact on the rest of the team. "This is a time where the manager and the leaders in the team need to figure it out very quickly," Rooney said. "Virgil van Dijk and Mohamed Salah, they've signed new deals, but I don't think they've really led that team this season."
Rooney added, "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."
Van Dijk and Salah were hailed as key signings when they committed to new deals in April, but both players are now showing signs of slowing down. Salah has managed just four goals in 13 appearances across all competitions, a meager total by his standards. Meanwhile, Van Dijk is marshaling a defense that ranks 15th in the Premier League this term.
Slot will be eager to see a turnaround in his leaders' form, with a Carabao Cup match against Crystal Palace on the horizon, followed by a challenging run of fixtures against Aston Villa, Real Madrid, and Manchester City.
Comments (0)
Leave a Comment
Be the first to comment on this article!