Wayne Rooney, a former legend of Manchester United, recently voiced his criticism towards Mohamed Salah following Liverpool’s 3-0 loss to Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday. Salah, who is one of Egypt’s most prominent footballers, struggled in this match, failing to score a goal or provide an assist against Pep Guardiola’s team.
Rooney, currently working as a football pundit on Match of the Day, criticized Salah for his defensive efforts and for leaving Conor Bradley isolated on the right flank. Bradley was assigned the task of containing Jeremy Doku, and Rooney believes that Salah should have supported his teammate when City advanced.
Speaking on the BBC, Rooney stated: “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.”
Rooney also commented on a disallowed goal by Virgil van Dijk during the match. Van Dijk’s goal would have leveled the score for Liverpool when they were 1-0 down. The linesman raised his flag due to Andy Robertson being in an offside position, which was confirmed by VAR.
Rooney, however, believes the goal should have stood. He said: “Good movement and a really good header [from Van Dijk]. Gianluigi Donnarumma can see the ball the whole way. Robertson is to the side of him and Donnarumma is outstretched, he has a full dive as soon as he can. There’s no impact from Robertson on the goal. Donnarumma has all his weight on his right foot, he dives as soon as Van Dijk heads the ball. He’s on his way. It’s a really good header and the goal should’ve stood for me.”
footcare@ The Match: Wirtz ghosts again
Analysis from footcare’s Head of Sport James Goldman after Manchester City’s 3-0 victory over Liverpool…
Watch out Arsenal
Any suggestion that Mikel Arteta’s previously relentless winning machine would sleepwalk their way to the title was always fanciful prior to this weekend. It is pure folly now after a couple of familiar failings reared their head at the Stadium of Light on Sunday, before City laid down an emphatic marker against Liverpool. City have hunted down the Gunners from less promising positions in the past and although the personnel might be different, Arsenal’s failure to go course and distance in the past is likely to haunt them until they finally get over the line. Nothing about City’s recent form suggests they’re going to give them an easy ride.
City’s wing wizards
While they’ve still got to go some to emulate some of their illustrious predecessors, there’s definitely shades of Riyad Mahrez and Raheem Sterling about the current City widemen. Jeremy Doku gave Conor Bradley an infinitesimally more testing time than Vinicius Jnr in midweek and his electric dribbling style now, more frequently than not, culminates in end product. On the opposite flank, Rayan Cherki’s magnetic first touch and inventiveness neatly complimented the qualities of those around him before he was withdrawn early in the second period.
Nico shows why he’s been called up by England
England’s left-back position is certainly up for grabs given the number of options Thomas Tuchel has experimented with over the course of his tenure. Myles Lewis-Skelly’s relative inactivity for Arsenal has handed an opportunity to Nico O’Reilly and it’s one the City youngster looks primed to take. Tasked with taming Mohamed Salah, the 20-year-old hardly gave Liverpool’s talisman an inch and his poise on the ball, a pre-requisite for any City player in Pep Guardiola’s system, helped his side navigate its way out of several tight spots and spring dangerous attacks.
Wirtz ghosts again
Doku’s improvement this season and man of the match display served as a timely remind that it is still way too soon to write off one of Liverpool’s two headline summer signings, but this was another concerning performance. So infrequent was his involvement in the game that it was difficult to determine the role he had been assigned. Either way, he looks ill at ease with the playmaking responsibilities he has presumably been charged with, no matter which combination of midfielders and forwards Arne Slot selects. Lightweight, indecisive and short on confidence, Wirtz and his manager have major issues to solve.
Rooney: Arsenal will be nervous about Man City
Quizzed about the title race, Rooney added: “I think City’s performances over the last few weeks have been great. I think Arsenal will be nervous, because City are coming up behind them. It’s happened the last few years to Arsenal (being caught) – so with City and Pep Guardiola behind you, Arsenal will be nervous with City’s form.”
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