Rooney calls for Salah exclusion after fresh Liverpool outburst

Former Manchester United captain Wayne Rooney has strongly criticized departing Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah over recent comments directed at Liverpool manager Arne Slot, describing the Egyptian star’s remarks as “selfish” and disrespectful.

Speaking during an appearance on BBC’s football podcast on Monday, Rooney said Slot should consider leaving Salah out of Liverpool’s final Premier League match of the season against Brentford F.C. at Anfield.

The controversy follows Liverpool’s 4-2 defeat to Aston Villa F.C. over the weekend, a result that further damaged the club’s hopes of securing a Champions League place next season.

Shortly after the loss, Salah posted a message on social media calling for Liverpool to return to the aggressive “heavy metal” football style associated with former manager Jürgen Klopp. The forward suggested the club’s attacking identity should remain non-negotiable under future leadership.

“That is the football I know how to play and that is the identity that needs to be recovered and kept for good,” Salah wrote. “It cannot be negotiable and everyone that joins this club should adapt to it.”

Rooney reacted sharply to the comments, accusing Salah of undermining Slot publicly at a sensitive stage of the season.

“I find it sad at the end of what he’s done and achieved at Liverpool,” Rooney said. “He’s basically saying he wants Klopp football again, but I don’t think Mo Salah can cope with that style anymore. I think his legs have gone for that high-intensity football.”

The former England striker also claimed Salah’s comments placed unnecessary pressure on teammates and the club hierarchy ahead of next season.

“He’s almost dropped a grenade into the dressing room and left everyone else to deal with it,” Rooney added. “You can’t publicly disrespect your manager like that and expect there to be no consequences.”

Rooney compared the situation to his own final months under legendary Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson in 2013. During Ferguson’s farewell season, Rooney was left out of the squad for the manager’s final home match amid tensions over his future at the club.

“If I was Arne Slot, I’d have him nowhere near the stadium for the last game,” Rooney said. “Alex Ferguson did it with me, and sometimes managers have to make strong decisions.”

Salah announced earlier this year that he would leave Liverpool F.C. at the end of the season following a mutual agreement with the club. Despite the recent tension, the 33-year-old leaves Anfield as one of Liverpool’s most decorated modern players, having scored more than 250 goals and won multiple domestic and European trophies.

Relations between Salah and Slot have reportedly been strained throughout the season, with the Egyptian forward previously criticizing tactical decisions after being benched for several key matches.

Liverpool supporters are now waiting to see whether Slot will include Salah in the club’s final home fixture or opt for a firmer disciplinary response as speculation over the winger’s exit continues to dominate headlines.