Rooney's Stinging Take on Salah's Defense After Chelsea Defeat
6 October 2025
Rooney Questions Salah's Defensive Efforts After Chelsea Defeat
Former England star Wayne Rooney, a Manchester United legend, did not hold back in criticizing Mohamed Salah's defensive work rate after Liverpool's 2-1 defeat to Chelsea on Saturday, noting that captain Virgil van Dijk should speak to him about it.
Rooney, on his show The Wayne Rooney Show, argued that Salah, now 33, has continued to go without a goal for five of the last seven Premier League matches, while the champions suffered their third defeat in a week, a stretch many fans dubbed Hell Week.
Salah wasted several second-half chances before and after Cody Gakpo's equalizer, following a rocket from Moises Caicedo in the first half, but he could not find the net again.
Rooney's criticisms did not stop at Salah's scoring. He pointed to the letdown in Salah's defensive duties, especially after Chelsea's late winner, when the right-back was exposed and Salah appeared to watch rather than track.
Rooney argued that with Virgil van Dijk and the club's leaders in the dressing room, there must be a conversation about the need for defensive work. He noted that even if Salah isn't starting every game, leaders should set the example to keep the team tight at the back.
Under Klopp, Salah often helped Trent Alexander-Arnold on the right; under Dutch coach Arne Slot, Salah has enjoyed more attacking freedom, with his defensive workload reduced. Last season, Salah and Liverpool combined for 47 goal contributions, a factor in the title and trophy run.
In earlier remarks after Liverpool's 5-1 thrashing of Tottenham in April, Salah reportedly suggested to Slot that he reduce his defensive duties. "As long as I'm relieved from defensive work, I'll compensate for it offensively with goals and assists," he said to Sky Sports; Slot listened, and the results were clear.
"It's not easy in the Premier League because you still have to help the left-back, but I can push further forward and be dangerous when we win the ball," Salah added. His numbers for assists show he can make the difference, not just the goals.
Since joining Liverpool in 2017 from Roma for €42 million, Salah has thrived under Klopp, including 32 league goals in 2017-18 — a record in the modern era. He became Liverpool's first choice and one of the world's best players, helping the club win the 2019 Champions League and the 2020 league title after a 30-year wait.
Despite the recent criticisms, Salah's impact on Liverpool's success over the years remains undeniable, and the conversation may just push all parties to refine the balance between defense and attack.
Punchline 1: If Salah's defensive effort were a sniper shot, it would hit the striker’s leg and miss the goal entirely.
Punchline 2: With all that transfer money on attackers, Liverpool's defense feels like a streaming service — always buffering and somehow still not delivering the win.
