I don't get this line of criticism. Perl is a dynamic language and it gives you a lot of flexibility and allows you to add things you think you need.
It's not like Java/Go/Rust where you really have to wait for new syntax in the language.
I think maybe whoever thinks like this about Perl shouldn't have been using it in the first place because they needed something different, like a strongly typed language.
Php startet as a Perl framework. Ruby is direct reaction to Perls inability to evolve (Perl autobox is great. Why not in core). There is Python.
I love Perl. Use it daily. I used Moose, mouse, any::mouse and was excited about p5-mop. But there is no traction in change.
Also fact is Perl has a bad image and Perl gets patched out of all projects.
It's not like Java/Go/Rust where you really have to wait for new syntax in the language.
I think maybe whoever thinks like this about Perl shouldn't have been using it in the first place because they needed something different, like a strongly typed language.