Former Wayne Rooney has claimed Mohamed Salah should be left out of Liverpool FC’s squad for their final Premier League game of the season after the forward publicly questioned the club’s direction under manager Arne Slot.
Liverpool’s disappointing 4-2 defeat against Aston Villa intensified concerns over their season, with Salah later posting on social media that the Reds must return to the “heavy metal attacking football” that once made them feared across Europe.
The Egyptian forward said Liverpool’s identity under former manager Jürgen Klopp should not be abandoned, adding that every new player joining the club must adapt to that philosophy.
Salah’s comments have been widely interpreted as criticism of Slot’s tactical approach, and Rooney believes the timing of the statement was damaging.
Speaking on the Wayne Rooney Show, the former Manchester United striker accused Salah of publicly undermining his manager and teammates ahead of Liverpool’s final game of the campaign against Brentford FC at Anfield.
Rooney said: “I find it sad considering everything he has achieved at Liverpool. There was no need for him to come out and aim another dig at Arne Slot.
“He’s basically saying he wants Klopp football back. I honestly don’t think Salah can cope with that type of football anymore because the intensity is so high.”
The former England captain went even further, insisting he would not include Salah in the matchday squad if he were Liverpool manager.
“If I was Arne Slot, I’d have him nowhere near the stadium for the last game,” Rooney added.
“He knows exactly what he’s doing. You can’t publicly disrespect your manager twice and expect there to be no consequences.”
Salah, who announced earlier this year that he will leave Liverpool at the end of the season, has enjoyed a legendary spell at Anfield since arriving from AS Roma in 2017.
The 33-year-old scored 257 goals for the club and helped Liverpool win multiple major honours, including the Premier League and UEFA Champions League titles.
However, despite Liverpool winning the league in Slot’s first season in charge, the team has struggled badly this campaign. The defending champions currently sit fifth in the table and are fighting to secure a Champions League spot.
Rooney also questioned the attitude of some Liverpool players during the difficult season, suggesting several members of the squad appear to have lost belief in the manager’s methods.
“One of the biggest differences now is the atmosphere at Anfield,” Rooney explained.
“Liverpool not pressing aggressively actually frustrates their own supporters. Some players look like they’ve downed tools, and that’s a huge problem for any manager.”
The criticism adds further pressure on Slot ahead of what could be a crucial summer rebuild at Liverpool. With Salah set to depart and uncertainty surrounding several senior players, the club may be preparing for a major transition before next season begins.
