Overview

• Wayne Rooney called out Mohamed Salah’s work rate after the 2-1 loss to Chelsea and urged leaders Virgil van Dijk and Alisson to address it, while Gabby Agbonlahor likened the winger’s off-ball play to late-career Lionel Messi.
• Salah has three goals in 10 games with only one from open play in the league, and Paul Scholes argued the forward has been making poor decisions in key moments.
• Jonathan Wilson’s analysis stressed structural issues under Arne Slot, noting a misfiring press, formation shifts, and the difficulty of replacing Trent Alexander-Arnold’s long-range passing and midfield inversion.
• Full-back and defensive concerns persist, with Conor Bradley labeled “reckless,” Jeremie Frimpong yet to convince at right-back, Milos Kerkez struggling on the left, and Ibrahima Konaté’s form dipping as center-backs face isolation.
• Liverpool enter an international break on a three-match losing run, giving Slot time to reset before the October 19 league game against Manchester United as calls grow for a stronger leadership response.