Wayne Rooney believes Liverpool fans should stop talking about a possible return for Jurgen Klopp, with woes worsening for current boss Arne Slot following their 3-0 defeat to Nottingham Forest at Anfield on Saturday.
The Reds were thumped emphatically by Sean Dyche's improving side, who secured victory following efforts from Murillo, Nicolo Savona and Morgan Gibbs-White.
The result means Liverpool have lost eight of their last 11 matches across all competitions, with pressure consequently mounting on Slot.
Some supporters have called for Klopp, who left his position on Merseyside in the summer of 2024, to make a sensational comeback to help turn things around.
TRENDING
Stories
Videos
Your Say
But Rooney, speaking on The Wayne Rooney show, believes fans should stop talking about a possible return - while also likening the situation to when Sir Alex Ferguson left Manchester United in 2013.
"They're going through a hard time, aren't they?" said the 40-year-old.
"You've probably got to look at the effect of what sadly happened to [Diogo] Jota. What effect does that have on the players because that's his team-mates? That surely has to have an effect.
Five things to know about Liverpool boss Arne Slot | PA
Wayne Rooney believes Liverpool fans should stop talking about a possible return for Jurgen Klopp, with woes worsening for current boss Arne Slot following their 3-0 defeat to Nottingham Forest at Anfield on Saturday
|PA
"But then there's no excuse for not fighting and not tackling. I think Slot's got a big job to get them back playing and winning.
"The big thing is when he has a run of results like this, Klopp's name keeps getting brought up.
"It's a bit like the presence with Sir Alex Ferguson. For instance, when David Moyes came in [at Manchester United] and [Louis] Van Gaal, Fergie's name would always get brought up.
LATEST SPORTS NEWS:
Arne Slot is under huge pressure at Liverpool in the wake of their defeat to Nottingham Forest on Saturday | PA"With Slot, Klopp keeps getting brought up. 'He's not Jurgen Klopp, he's not as good as Jurgen Klopp'. But I think the Liverpool fans just need to move away from that and get behind him."
One player to struggle for Liverpool this season is Mohamed Salah.
The Egypt international was unstoppable last term, scoring 29 league goals and clocking up 18 assists as the Reds cruised to the Premier League title.
This term, however, the 33-year-old's form has nosedived.
Salah has scored just four goals from his first 12 league goals, while also managing a meagre two assists.
And Rooney thinks it's time for the Egypt international to be taken out of the firing line, while also expressing a belief that Salah doesn't do enough defensively.
Wayne Rooney believes it's time for Liverpool to drop Mohamed Salah
|PA
"If I was Slot, I'd try and make a big decision just so it has an impact on the rest of the team," added the former Manchester United and Everton striker.
"Salah is not helping them defensively. If you're one of the players who they've signed and you're on the bench and you've seen him not running - and again he's a club legend and everything he's done for the club - but if you're on the bench, then what message does that send to you?"
Liverpool's defeat to Forest leaves them sitting 12th in the league table.
However, they won't have too long to wait until their next match.
The Reds are next in action against PSV Eindhoven in the Champions League on Wednesday night (8pm).
Liverpool sit eighth in the European standings, having amassed nine points from their opening four matches - with a defeat to Galatasaray the only blot on their record.