Wayne Rooney has criticised Mohamed Salah for publicly questioning Liverpool’s direction under Arne Slot, saying the forward should be dropped for the club’s final game of the season after showing “disrespect” towards his manager.
Speaking on The Wayne Rooney Show, the former Manchester United F.C. captain reacted strongly to Salah’s recent comments about wanting Liverpool to return to the “heavy metal” football played under former manager Jurgen Klopp.
Rooney said the remarks were effectively another public swipe at Slot and unfair on a manager preparing for his first full season in charge.
“I find it sad at the end of what he’s done and what he’s achieved at Liverpool,” Rooney said. “It’s not the point for him to come out and aim another dig at Slot. He wants to play heavy metal football, so he’s basically saying he wants Jurgen Klopp football.”
Rooney also questioned whether Salah could still cope with the demands of Klopp’s high-intensity style.
“Now I don’t think Mo Salah can cope with that type of football anymore. I think his legs have gone to play at that high tempo and high intensity,” he said.
The former England captain said Salah’s comments had undermined Slot while leaving Liverpool’s dressing room to deal with the fallout ahead of next season.
“He’s almost just dropped the grenade and said he doesn’t trust and believe in Arne Slot and almost thrown his teammates who are going to be there next season and let them have to deal with that as well,” Rooney said.
Salah and Slot have endured a difficult relationship during the season. Earlier in the campaign, Salah accused Liverpool of throwing him “under the bus” amid frustration over a lack of regular starts.
Despite Salah’s record of 257 goals for Liverpool and his role in the club’s recent successes, Rooney believes the forward’s latest comments have shifted attention away from a disappointing season on the pitch.
After scoring 29 league goals during Liverpool’s title-winning campaign last season, Salah has managed 12 goals in 40 appearances across all competitions this year as the club battles to secure a top-five finish.
“I think Salah’s trying to vindicate himself and make himself feel better because he’s had a very poor season,” Rooney said. “So I think he’s been very selfish in what he’s done in the two occasions.”
Rooney also recalled his own fallout with former Alex Ferguson manager, saying he was dropped for Ferguson’s final home game after a disagreement. He believes Slot should take the same approach for Liverpool’s final match against Brentford F.C..
“If I was Arne Slot, I’d have him nowhere near the stadium in the last game,” Rooney said. “That’s your manager. You can’t publicly disrespect him twice the way he has and get away with it.”
Rooney added that while Salah deserves recognition for his achievements at Liverpool, the manner of his exit has damaged what should have been a fitting farewell.
“It’s just a shame to see one of the great icons of Premier League players leave the Premier League probably in this situation,” Rooney said.
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