Wayne Rooney slams star Liverpool attacker for poor work ethic and 'not helping' his team

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Credit: Hasan Karim - Breaking Media, Getty Mon 6 October 2025 8:15, UK Liverpool are in a very poor run of form and one of their star players has come in for some criticism.On Saturday (4 October), Estevao scored a dramatic late winner as Chelsea beat Arne Slot’s side 2-1 at Stamford Bridge.The Reds have now lost three games in a row for the first time since April 2023, in a season in which they finished fifth in the Premier League under Jurgen Klopp.Liverpool spent heavily over the summer to improve their forward line, but one of their long-serving attackers is now under fire for his recent performances.Credit: IMAGOWayne Rooney questions Mo Salah’s work rateMo Salah has looked out of sorts so far this season, and the Egyptian international has come in for some criticism from fans and pundits alike.While the 33-year-old has scored two goals and picked up two assists in the Premier League, his overall performance level has left a lot to be desired.— Match of the Day (@BBCMOTD) October 6, 2025 Speaking on The Wayne Rooney Show, former Manchester United and England striker Rooney questioned Salah’s work ethic at Liverpool, highlighting the way he left full-back Conor Bradley isolated against Chelsea. MORE FOOTBALL INSIDER STORIES He said: “With the players coming in, (Alexander) Isak, (Hugo) Ekitike, and (Florian) Wirtz, the money they’ve spent on them, what does Salah think now?

Top players have an ego, and Mo Salah’s been one of the best players in the league for some time.Credit: IMAGO“I think over the last week, I’d question his work ethic. We know he doesn’t always get back and defend, but I think against Chelsea, his full-back (Conor Bradley) is getting torn apart, and he’s just watching, he’s not helping.

“For me, that was a worry, and I think he’s looked a little bit lost over the last week.”Salah’s underlying numbers will leave Liverpool fans worriedSalah has failed to pick up a goal contribution in each of Liverpool’s last three games, but the underlying numbers suggested that this dry patch was coming.In the Premier League so far this season, the winger is averaging 1.7 shots and 0.7 shots on target per game.Mo Salah stats (Per game)2024-252025-26Shots3.41.7Shots on Target1.60.7Touches49.142.1Key Passes2.41.7Mo Salah has dropped off statistically this seasonCompare that to last term, when over the course of the campaign he took 3.4 shots and 1.6 shots on target per game, and his current run of poor form starts to make more sense.In addition to his lack of efforts on goal, Salah is also getting on the ball less so far this campaign, averaging 42.1 touches and only 1.7 key passes per game.Last season, the Egyptian was touching the ball almost 50 times each game, as well as making 2.4 key passes, and having much more of an impact on proceedings.Even if you ignore the statistics completely, Salah has looked a level below his best in recent times, and Liverpool fans will be desperate for their talisman to rediscover his spark.