Wayne Rooney has called out Mohamed Salah following Liverpool's 3-0 defeat at the hands of Manchester City on Sunday. The former Manchester United star spotted a big issue with the Egyptian's display which ended up hurting the team.
It was a tough day at the office for Arne Slot's side, who were outclassed by their Premier League opponents. Although Virgil van Dijk did see an equaliser controversially ruled out, City were the far better side on the day, with Erling Haaland, Nico Gonzalez and Jeremy Doku all finding the back of the net.
Following the final whistle, there has been plenty of criticism levied at numerous Liverpool players, especially Florian Wirtz. Gary Neville described how the summer signing "played like a boy" on Sunday, with questions continuing to mount over his performances. But Rooney believes that Salah didn't help things either.
Rooney: Salah Has to Help Teammate
Wayne Rooney during a commemorative ceremony at Goodison Park.
Premier League - Everton v Southampton - Goodison Park, Liverpool, Britain - May 18, 2025 Former player Wayne Rooney on the pitch during a commemorative ceremony after the last match for the men's team at Goodison Park Action Images via Reuters/Jason Cairnduff
Speaking on Match of the Day as a pundit, Rooney believes that Salah's reluctance to get back and help the team in defence allowed Doku to torment full-back Conor Bradley throughout the tie. The Belgian consistently had the beating of the Northern Irish international, with him cutting inside and causing all sorts of trouble for the Liverpool backline.
According to Rooney, Salah should have spotted the danger that Doku was posing on the flank and tracked back more often. He said: "Salah is in the team to score goals and create goals.
"He’s been one of the best players in the Premier League over the last six or seven years. But in big games, you have to double up. You have to get back and help your teammate. Conor Bradley was having a really tough game today, to be left on his own…
"Ryan Gravenberch was trying his best to help him and get over there, but then that leaves spaces in other positions. I think Salah has to come back and help his teammate."
It's not the first time this season where Rooney has questioned Salah's desire to help the team defensively. Following Chelsea's 2-1 victory against the Reds at Stamford Bridge back in October, the former England international raised concern over Salah's work rate, which was becoming more of an issue due to him not firing on all cylinders in front of goal.
"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," he said.
Guardiola Reveals City's Plan for Salah
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola embracing Liverpool's Mohamed Salah after their match.
Premier League - Manchester City v Liverpool - Etihad Stadium, Manchester, Britain - November 9, 2025 Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola with Liverpool's Mohamed Salah after the match Action Images via Reuters/Jason Cairnduff
Salah's ineffectiveness going forward on Sunday was also not helped by City's plan to deal with him. Guardiola, speaking after the game, said that his side had practiced defending aggressively against the 33-year-old whenever he received the ball.
"Salah has been a nightmare for many years and Nico said he had to be aggressive with him," he said. "It helped that whenever Mo had the ball we had three or four players around him.
"You will never have a better test as a full-back than to face Salah. Defensively we were really good, especially in the first half."