Wayne Rooney has criticised the mentality of Liverpool players following their Champions League elimination by Paris Saint-Germain.
This suggests that some members of the squad may not be fully motivated under manager Arne Slot.
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Liverpool were beaten 2-0 at Anfield, sealing a 4-0 aggregate defeat and ending their hopes of silverware this season.
The result leaves the club focused on securing a top-five finish in the Premier League to qualify for next season’s Champions League.
Rooney raises concerns over Liverpool’s fight
Speaking as a pundit, Rooney questioned the effort levels within the squad during their recent poor run of form.
“You need players who want to fight, and I think we’ve seen this Liverpool team all season not give as much as they can,” Rooney said.
He added that the timing of the upcoming Merseyside derby could further complicate their recovery, reports Mirror.
Liverpool head into the clash having lost four of their last five matches, including defeats against PSG and Manchester City, increasing pressure on Slot’s side.
Former midfielder Clarence Seedorf disagreed with Rooney’s assessment, arguing that high-profile matches can help teams reset emotionally after European disappointment.
Slot, meanwhile, acknowledged the difficulty of the situation but pointed to the club’s transitional phase and squad changes as key factors behind their struggles.
He also stressed that Liverpool’s long-term project remains on track despite the setback.
The Reds now face a crucial run of fixtures that could define their season and determine whether they return to Europe’s elite competition next year.
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