Former Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney believes Mohamed Salah should be dropped from Liverpool’s squad for their final match against Brentford.
Rooney described Salah as “selfish” following a social media statement that appeared to criticise incoming Liverpool head coach Arne Slot.
Salah’s Comments Viewed as Criticism of Slot
Salah said Liverpool must return to being a “heavy metal attacking team that opponents fear” after a 4-2 defeat at Aston Villa. He added that this identity “cannot be negotiable and everyone that joins this club should adapt to it”.
Rooney interpreted this as a dig at Slot. He stated, “He’s almost just dropped the grenade and said he doesn’t trust and believe in Arne Slot and almost thrown his team-mates who are going to be there next season and let them have to deal with that as well and put them into a position.”
Rooney suggested that Salah’s desire for “heavy metal football” implies he wants Jurgen Klopp’s style of play, something Rooney believes Salah can no longer cope with. “I think his legs have gone to play at that high tempo and high intensity,” Rooney said.
Rooney’s Call for Salah’s Omission
Rooney stated that if he were Arne Slot, he would keep Salah away from the stadium for the final game. He drew a parallel to his own experience with Alex Ferguson, saying, “I had it with Alex Ferguson. I had a disagreement and fallout and at Alex Ferguson’s last game at Old Trafford, he left me out of the squad for that reason.”
Rooney criticised Salah for publicly disrespecting Slot twice. He also suggested that Salah is trying to “vindicate himself and make himself feel better because he’s had a very poor season.”
Salah’s Impending Departure
Salah, 33, is set to leave Liverpool at the end of the season. He will depart after scoring 257 goals and helping the club to six major trophies in nine years.
Salah announced his decision to leave Anfield in March. In December, he told reporters that his relationship with Slot had broken down.
- Salah has scored 257 goals for Liverpool.
- He has helped the club to six major trophies.
- He announced his decision to leave Anfield in March.
Despite winning a record four Premier League Golden Boot awards, Salah’s form this season has dipped. He has scored 12 times in 40 games, with Liverpool languishing in fifth in the Premier League.
Rooney believes that Salah knows exactly what he is doing and has been very selfish in his actions.