Wayne Rooney has questioned Mohamed Salah’s work ethic after claiming the forward looked ‘lost’ in Liverpool’s 2-1 defeat to Chelsea. The 33-year-old didn’t get a sniff when the Stamford Bridge club edged past Arne Slot’s side at Stamford Bridge on Saturday evening.
Salah, who signed a lucrative new deal last summer, has now failed to score in each of his last three Premier League games. The Egypt international has also only managed to find the net twice this term, with his first — and only — open play goal coming on the opening day of the season.
And Rooney believes Salah has been found wanting, when his side need him the most.
Speaking on The Wayne Rooney Show, the former Everton man said: “I think Trent is a big loss. There was obviously a lot of debate about whether he was the best defender or ‘he couldn’t defend.’
“But I just think some of the passes he played through to Salah and switches of play, that’s a big loss for Liverpool. Also, I think with the players coming in, [Alexander] Isak, [Hugo] Ekitike and [Florian] Wirtz, the money they’ve spent on them, what does Salah think now?”
The former England international added: “I think players and top players have an ego. Mo Salah has been one of the best players in the league for a long time.
“I think the last week has shown something. When it’s going well and you’re winning games, it’s great, and the team will put up with that. Over the last week, I’d questioned his work ethic.
“We know he doesn’t always get back and defend as much, but last night, the Chelsea game, I thought his full-back was getting torn apart and he’s watching. He’s not getting back and helping.
“Players like Van Dijk and obviously Allisson wasn’t playing last night, but those leaders in the dressing room they should be telling him, ‘You need to help out.’ For me, that was a worry.”
Rooney continued: “I think he’s looked a little lost in the last week, in my opinion. I think over the last six months. The people I know, Liverpool fans in Liverpool, they were on his back.