Wayne Rooney Warns Liverpool Icons Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk Face Biological Sunset

Wayne Rooney claims age is catching up with Liverpool's Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk, urging the stars to accept their diminishing roles in 2026.

By: AXL Media

Published: May 1, 2026, 2:55 PM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from YSScores

The Biological Clock Ticking on an Anfield Era

Wayne Rooney has delivered a blunt assessment of the physical state of Liverpool's most decorated modern stars, suggesting that the era of Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk is nearing its natural conclusion. Speaking on May 1, 2026, the former England captain noted that the 33, year, old Salah is clearly feeling the effects of nearly a decade of elite competition. According to Rooney, the Egyptian’s explosive footwork, which once terrified defenses across Europe, is no longer what it used to be. This observation follows a season where Salah has managed only 12 goals in 39 appearances, his lowest tally since joining the club. Rooney argues that age gets to everyone and the legs eventually go, marking this as the primary catalyst for the forward’s anticipated departure from Merseyside this summer.

The Fractured Spine of a Defensive Juggernaut

The critique extended beyond the forward line, as Rooney identified a similar decline in the performance levels of the club’s captain, Virgil van Dijk. At 34 years of age, the Dutch defender has struggled to maintain the world, class standards that defined his peak years, with Rooney suggesting that he has not been the same presence throughout the 2025, 2026 campaign. Despite helping the side to 16 clean sheets in 51 games, the defender’s ability to command the backline has reportedly waned under the management of Arne Slot. Rooney explained that when the physical tools of senior leaders begin to erode, their impact in the locker room often diminishes alongside their on, field contributions. This leaves a leadership vacuum that younger players find difficult to fill, particularly during high, pressure fixtures.

The Zlatan Effect and the Hard Choice of Departure

Drawing from his own historic tenure at Manchester United, Rooney shared a personal anecdote regarding the difficult transition from a primary starter to a peripheral figure. He recalled the arrival of Zlatan Ibrahimovic in 2016 as the moment he realized his own role was diminishing within the squad hierarchy. According to Rooney, once he accepted that he was no longer the first name on the team sheet, he decided to leave Old Trafford immediately to seek starting opportunities elsewhere. He believes that veteran players like Salah and Van Dijk must eventually come to terms with the fact that they can no longer mee...