Premier League legend says manager Arne Slot should learn from Ferguson and change Salah’s position
Wayne Rooney has criticised Mohamed Salah’s defensive work rate, accusing the Liverpool forward of failing to support his full-back during the 3-1 defeat to Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.
The former Manchester United and England captain said Salah “was watching” as right-back Conor Bradley was repeatedly exposed by Chelsea’s wingers. Bradley was substituted at half-time after a difficult first half.
“We know he doesn’t always get back and defend as much, but in the Chelsea game his full-back was getting torn apart and he was watching,” said Rooney.
“He’s not getting back and helping, and players like [Virgil] Van Dijk and the leaders in the dressing room should be telling him, ‘you need to help out’.”
Liverpool have conceded nine goals in their opening seven Premier League matches, and opponents have increasingly targeted the right flank, where Salah’s attacking freedom often leaves space behind.
“That was a worry and I think he has looked a bit lost over the last week. When it’s going well and you’re scoring goals and winning games it’s great and the team will put up with that but, over the last week, I would question his work ethic.
“I think when you get a bit older as well, Slot maybe could have looked at that and thought, ‘Chelsea are killing us down the side’.”
The Premier League legend suggested manager Arne Slot could learn from Sir Alex Ferguson’s handling of Cristiano Ronaldo at Manchester United.
“Move Salah inside and move [Florian] Wirtz out there to the right and still have that work ethic in there and the brilliance of Salah to try and score goals.
“I’m not saying you leave him out of the team. We had that with Ronaldo at Manchester United who similarly wouldn’t track back so Fergie moves him inside, so you still have the balance of the team and the work getting done.
“He moves him inside so he is still on the pitch because he’s always got a chance of scoring goals and winning games.”
