Wayne Rooney has warned Liverpool stalwarts Virgil van Dijk and Mohamed Salah that "age gets to us all" as the legendary duo approach the twilight of their careers at Anfield. The former Manchester United captain suggested that even the club's most influential leaders are not immune to a decline in physical levels as they enter their mid-thirties.
United legend Rooney has offered a stark assessment of Liverpool's senior stars, suggesting that both Van Dijk and Salah are beginning to succumb to the physical demands of elite football. With Salah, 33, and Van Dijk, 34, serving as the primary leaders in the Reds' dressing room, Rooney argued that their perceived dip in form makes it increasingly difficult for younger players to establish their own authority. While Van Dijk has remained a fixture with 51 appearances this term, Rooney believes the Dutch captain has struggled to maintain the imperious standards of previous campaigns.
Speaking on The Wayne Rooney Show, the former England striker drew parallels between his own career trajectory and the current situation facing Liverpool's core leadership group. He noted: "I said this since the start of the season, age gets to us all and your legs go. I think that's happened to Salah this season and Virgil van Dijk hasn't been the same this season. They are the leaders in the dressing room. It's hard for the other players to go and leave their mark or become the leaders. I don't think he [Van Dijk] will [leave] but you've seen players when they've stayed there for too long."