Wayne Rooney tears into Mohamed Salah as Manchester United legend highlights major Liverpool issue

Wayne Rooney has slammed Mohamed Salah as he accused the Liverpool forward of not doing enough defensively against Manchester City .

Arne Slot’s men suffered a big blow to their Premier League title ambitions on Sunday as the Citizens condemned the Reds to their fifth defeat of the season .

While some pundits have already written off their title hopes, Gary Neville still believes they are in contention with Arsenal and City .

Salah played a key role in Liverpool’s title triumph last campaign, but he has struggled for goals this term.

In 15 appearances across all competitions, the 33-year-old has bagged only five goals.

Salah has previously been excused from certain defensive duties. But that left Conor Bradley exposed up against Jeremy Doku, who delivered an excellent display and was named the Player of the Match on Sunday.

Expressing his views on Match of the Day , United icon Rooney 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.”

Liverpool’s defeat on Sunday leaves them eight points behind Arsenal in the Premier League table.

Liverpool spent a record £446 million on new players in the summer, but the levels of their performances have dropped this campaign.

Florian Wirtz has been a major disappointment, and Alexander Isak is still finding his feet at the club.

Jeremie Frimpong and Milos Kerkez haven’t also been very convincing with their displays.

However, considering the quality of players in their squad, the Merseyside titans are expected to bounce back after the international break.

Stats from Transfermarkt