Wayne Rooney has launched one of the most direct criticisms of Mohamed Salah's behaviour that the football world has heard this season. Speaking on his own podcast, the former England captain and Manchester United icon labelled the Egyptian forward "selfish" and "disrespectful" after Salah publicly posted on social media demanding a return to the high-pressing "heavy metal" style associated with Jurgen Klopp — a shot widely read as a second deliberate jab at current manager Arne Slot.
What Rooney Actually Said
Rooney was measured but scathing in his assessment. He acknowledged the greatness of what Salah has achieved at Liverpool — 257 goals, Premier League titles, Champions League glory — but argued that none of that history excuses the manner in which the 33-year-old has handled his exit. "I find it sad at the end of what he's done and what he's achieved at Liverpool," Rooney said. "He's basically saying he doesn't trust and believe in Arne Slot and he's thrown his teammates who are staying next season under the bus too." His bluntest point came when he argued that Salah, whose output has dropped from 29 league goals last season to just 12 in all competitions this campaign, is using the public attacks to distract from a year of underperformance. "I think Salah's trying to vindicate himself and make himself feel better because he's had a very poor season," he said.
Drop Him From the Final Game — Rooney's Demand
Rooney went further than simply criticising Salah. He called on Slot to make the kind of bold decision that Sir Alex Ferguson made with Rooney himself: leave the player out of the farewell fixture entirely. Liverpool face Brentford at Anfield next weekend in what will be Salah's last home game for the club after 8 years and more than 250 goals. "If I was Arne Slot, I'd have him nowhere near the stadium," Rooney insisted. "I had it with Alex Ferguson. I had a disagreement and fall out and at Ferguson's last game at Old Trafford, he left me out of the squad. That's your manager. You can't publicly disrespect him twice the way Salah has and just get away with it." He added that he doubted Slot would take such a drastic step, but maintained he should.
Liverpool's Bigger Problem
Beyond the specific Salah row, Rooney flagged a more systemic concern at Anfield — that a number of players appear to have checked out mentally during a difficult second half of the season. Liverpool, who won the title last year, are now set to finish fifth. "I think some players look like they've downed tools and that's a big problem for the manager," Rooney said. He suggested that the loss of Anfield's famous intimidating atmosphere is directly tied to Liverpool stopping pressing — which, in turn, quietens the crowd and reduces the energy that makes the ground such a difficult place for opponents. Whether Slot survives into next season, Rooney believes the club needs a serious reset over the summer.
Match context: Liverpool's final Premier League game of 2025-26 is at home to Brentford. Mohamed Salah, 33, is leaving Anfield after 8 seasons and 257 goals. Liverpool are projected to finish 5th. Arne Slot is completing his first full season in charge.
0 Comments