Wayne Rooney believes Mohamed Salah's legs have gone as the Egyptian prepares to leave Liverpool this summer having scored just seven Premier League goals, while Virgil van Dijk faces a similar decline
Daniel Orme Trends Writer
11:46, 01 May 2026Updated 11:51, 01 May 2026
Wayne Rooney has had his say on the Liverpool duo
Wayne Rooney has had his say on the Liverpool duo(Image: Xavier Laine, Getty Images)
Wayne Rooney thinks Mohamed Salah's legs have already gone and has warned that Virgil van Dijk is heading in the same direction. Salah is poised to depart Liverpool this summer after a glittering stint at Anfield.
The Egyptian will exit the club following his most challenging season on Merseyside, having netted just seven Premier League goals this campaign, while his place in the starting XI has not always been guaranteed under Arne Slot.
Rooney is convinced that time has finally caught up with the 33-year-old, and that his Liverpool captain is following a similar trajectory. 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.
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"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."
He 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 the foreseeable future. The Dutch center-back remains tied to the Reds until next summer, having signed an extension just last year.
Liverpool stars Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk
Liverpool stars Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk(Image: PA)
Salah's Liverpool farewell has encountered a significant setback, with the Egyptian poised to miss his final Premier League fixture against Manchester United this Sunday. The forward was substituted last weekend against Crystal Palace due to a hamstring injury.
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While Liverpool manager Arne Slot has ruled him out of this weekend's match, the Dutchman is hopeful that he will return before the end of the season.
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."