Former Manchester United striker, Wayne Rooney, has criticised Mohamed Salah for his performance in Liverpool’s 2-1 loss to Chelsea over the weekend.
The defeat, which took place at Stamford Bridge, marked Liverpool’s third straight loss in one week and allowed Arsenal to move to the top of the English Premier League (EPL) table, overtaking the reigning champions.
Rooney, speaking after the match, said Salah was partly to blame for Liverpool’s poor showing, especially in defence. He accused the Egyptian of failing to support his team defensively when it mattered most.
“Top players have an ego, and Mo Salah has been one of the best players in the league for a long time,” Rooney said.
“When it’s going well — scoring goals and winning — the team will put up with it. But in the Chelsea game, his full-back was getting torn apart and he was just watching. That’s not acceptable,” he added.
Rooney noted that while Salah is not known for his defensive efforts, his lack of support on the flank during the Chelsea match was glaring.
Liverpool, now under new manager Arne Slot, have seen their bright start to the season begin to unravel, with fans and pundits raising concerns about the team’s form and squad depth.
The Reds’ loss to Chelsea followed two other defeats, adding pressure on the team and prompting renewed focus on individual performances — particularly from senior players like Salah.
Mohamed Salah, 32, is one of Liverpool’s most celebrated players, having scored over 150 goals since joining from Roma in 2017. However, recent performances have drawn criticism, especially as expectations remain high under a new manager.
With the Premier League title race tightening and Arsenal leading the table, Liverpool will need a quick turnaround to stay in contention.
The Reds are set to face another top-six side this coming weekend, and fans will be watching closely to see if Salah responds to Rooney’s comments with a strong performance.
