Liverpool star Mohamed Salah is set to leave the club this summer after eight years at Anfield, with Wayne Rooney delivering a stark verdict on his decline this season and what it could mean for Virgil van Dijk's future
Liverpool stars Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk
Liverpool stars Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk(Image: PA)
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Wayne Rooney believes Mohamed Salah's legs have already gone and has cautioned that Virgil van Dijk could be heading in the same direction. Salah is poised to depart Liverpool this summer after a glittering career at Anfield.
He will leave the club following what has been his most challenging season on Merseyside, having netted just seven Premier League goals this campaign, with his place in the starting XI far from guaranteed under Arne Slot.
Rooney is convinced that age has finally caught up with the 33-year-old, and believes his Liverpool captain is experiencing a similar decline. Speaking on The Wayne Rooney Show, the Manchester United icon said: "I said this since the start of the season, age gets to us all and your legs go.
"I think that's happened to Salah this season and Virgil van Dijk hasn't been the same this season. They are the leaders in the dressing room. It's hard for the other players to go and leave their mark or become the leaders.
"I don't think he [Van Dijk] will [leave] but you've seen players when they've stayed there for too long."
Making clear what a tough choice it can be to accept when is the best time to move on, Rooney added: "The hardest thing for a player is to understand you may be not at the level you were.
"I did it at Manchester United when Zlatan Ibrahimovic came in and I wasn't playing. I wanted to play so I left straight away. I accepted it."
Unlike Salah, Van Dijk will stay at Liverpool for now. The Dutch defender remains tied to the Reds until next summer, having put pen to paper on an extension just last year.
Salah's Liverpool send-off has encountered a significant setback, with the Egyptian poised to miss his final Premier League encounter against Manchester United this Sunday.
Wayne Rooney
Wayne Rooney has had his say on Virgil van Dijk and Mohamed Salah(Image: Ryan Crockett/DeFodi Images/DeFodi via Getty Images)
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The forward was substituted last weekend against Crystal Palace due to a hamstring problem.
While Liverpool boss Arne Slot has ruled him out of this weekend's fixture, the Dutchman remains optimistic that he will feature before the campaign concludes.
Speaking in his pre-match press conference, Slot said: "As we know for Mo, he is always working hard when he is fit and when he is injured to be back.
"He is usually fitter than others, so we expect him back for the final part of the season.
"Not for tomorrow. It is always a big relief that his injury is minor to play for us and the World Cup. Any time a player who deserved a send-off, it's great news."