Rooney Calls for Salah to Be Axed from Liverpool's Final Home Game Over 'Selfish' Outburst

Rooney Demands Salah Be Left Out of Liverpool's Season Finale

Wayne Rooney has called on Liverpool manager Arne Slot to take a firm stance against Mohamed Salah by excluding the Egyptian forward from the club's final home game of the season against Brentford. The former Manchester United striker labeled Salah's recent public comments as "selfish" and believes the winger should face consequences for openly undermining his manager.

Salah's Controversial Social Media Post Sparks Debate

The controversy was ignited after Liverpool suffered a heavy 4-2 defeat at Aston Villa, a result that placed the club's Champions League qualification in serious jeopardy. In response, Salah took to social media to express his frustration, stating that Liverpool needed to rediscover its identity as a "heavy metal attacking team that opponents fear."

"That is the football I know how to play and that is the identity that needs to be recovered and kept for good. It cannot be negotiable and everyone that joins this club should adapt to it," Salah wrote — a statement widely interpreted as a pointed dig at head coach Slot.

Rooney Draws on Personal Experience with Ferguson

Speaking on The Wayne Rooney Show, Rooney expressed genuine disappointment at how Salah has chosen to depart the club after nine distinguished years, during which he scored 257 goals and contributed to six major trophies.

"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 — he's basically saying he wants Jurgen Klopp football. And honestly, I don't think Mo Salah can cope with that type of football anymore. I think his legs have gone for that high tempo and high intensity."

Rooney drew a parallel to his own career, recalling how Sir Alex Ferguson left him out of his final match at Old Trafford following a personal disagreement between the two.

"If I was Arne Slot, I'd have him nowhere near the stadium for the last game," he said. "He's almost dropped a grenade and told the world he doesn't trust or believe in Arne Slot, and in doing so, he's thrown his teammates — who will still be at the club next season — right into the middle of it."

A Disappointing Final Season for the Liverpool Icon

Salah, 33, officially announced his departure from Anfield back in March. His relationship with Slot had already been reported as strained as far back as December, when the winger publicly acknowledged a breakdown in communication with the head coach.

Despite winning a record four Premier League Golden Boots during his time in England, Salah's final campaign has been underwhelming by his own lofty standards. After netting 29 Premier League goals in the title-winning 2024-25 season under Slot's debut year in charge, the forward has managed just 12 goals in 40 appearances this term — a significant drop in output as Liverpool find themselves languishing in fifth place.

"I think Salah is trying to vindicate himself and make himself feel better because he's had a very poor season," Rooney added. "He's been very selfish in what he's done on both occasions. The fans will be on his side, but when you look deeper into it — and having been in a dressing room in a similar situation — Mo Salah knows exactly what he's doing."

Slot's Future Also Under the Microscope

The pressure has not fallen solely on Salah. Liverpool's dismal defence of their Premier League title has led to growing frustration among supporters, with many questioning whether Slot is the right man to lead the club going forward.

However, Rooney admitted he is genuinely torn on the matter.

"He won the league last season, so I think he deserves a bit more time," Rooney said. "But the biggest change for me is that Liverpool used to make Anfield a fortress — now it feels like they're quietening their own crowd by not pressing. And I don't feel comfortable saying this, but some players look like they've downed tools, and that's a massive problem for any manager."

Whether Slot opts to bench Salah for what would have been a fairytale farewell — or allows the club legend to take his bow in front of the Anfield faithful one last time — remains to be seen. But Rooney's message is clear: public disrespect toward a manager, no matter the player's legacy, should carry real consequences.