Van Dijk and Salah have 'extinguished the fire' causing Liverpool's decline

Wayne Rooney thinks that two mainstays, Virgil van Dijk and Mohamed Salah, are losing their leadership qualities, which has played a part in Liverpool’s slump in the Premier League this season.

Liverpool is going through a worrying slump under coach Arne Slot. After a brilliant first season crowned with the Premier League title, the Anfield side has now fallen seven points behind Arsenal, suffered four consecutive defeats, and lost their usual confidence.

In this situation, legend Wayne Rooney did not hesitate to point out the two players he believes bear the most responsibility: Virgil van Dijk and Mohamed Salah. On The Wayne Rooney Show, the former Manchester United captain said: "This is the moment when the coach and the team leaders need to find a solution quickly. Virgil van Dijk and Mohamed Salah have signed new contracts, but I don’t think they are truly leading the team this season."

Rooney emphasized that the body language of Liverpool’s two stars says it all: "The demeanor of the key players reveals a lot, and I notice their posture is somewhat different from usual. They are the two most important players on the team, and if their attitude is off, it affects everyone else. I could be wrong, but if I were a Liverpool fan or coach, that would be a major concern."

In reality, both Van Dijk and Salah are showing signs of slowing down. After Liverpool secured their contracts in April, these two pillars have gradually lost their usual spark. Salah has scored only 4 goals in 13 matches across all competitions, while Van Dijk leads a defense ranked 15th in the Premier League — an unacceptable statistic for a club that once dominated England.

Coach Arne Slot, who was highly praised last season, is now under heavy pressure. Liverpool must regain their fighting spirit in the upcoming Carabao Cup match against Crystal Palace before heading into a series of tough games against Aston Villa, Real Madrid, and Manchester City.

Can Van Dijk and Salah rally the Liverpool squad in time to save a season that is slipping away?