18 May 2026 17:30 BST |
5 min read
Wayne Rooney believes Mohamed Salah should be dropped from the Liverpool squad for the final match of the season against Brentford at Anfield.
Last month, Salah and Liverpool confirmed that the Egyptian would be leaving the club at the end of the season to move on to pastures new, following a severe drop in form this season and a public spat with current manager Arne Slot.
The forward will go down as one of the greatest players in the club’s history as his goals fired them to two Premier League titles as well as a Champions League triumph. He is currently fourth on the all-time Premier League goalscorers list and in 2024/26 he broke the record for the most combined goals and assists in a 38-game campaign.
Still, he’s leaving Liverpool on a sour note.
I have witnessed this club go from doubters to believers, and from believers to champions. It took hard work and I always did everything I could to help the club get there. Nothing makes me prouder than that.
Us crumbling to yet another defeat this season was very painful and… pic.twitter.com/xsnD14QLTQ
— Mohamed Salah (@MoSalah) May 16, 2026
Following the 4-2 defeat against Aston Villa on Friday, Salah took to social media to express dismay at how Liverpool have performed this season. He references the “heavy metal football” that was so successful under Jurgen Klopp, which many have taken to be a direct dig at Slot, with whom he does not hold a positive relationship.
Salah was set for a farewell at Anfield this weekend, but former Manchester United star Rooney believes the player has burned his bridges and shouldn’t be allowed a goodbye.
“I find it sad at the end of what he’s done and what he’s achieved at Liverpool. It’s not the point for him to come out and aim another dig at Slot,” he said on the Wayne Rooney Show for the BBC.
“He wants to play heavy metal football, so he’s basically saying he wants Jurgen Klopp football. Now I don’t think Mo Salah can cope with that type of football any more. I think his legs have gone to play at that high tempo and high intensity.
“If I was Arne Slot, I’d have him nowhere near the stadium in the last game. 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.
“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 believes that Salah is simply attempting to vindicate his poor personal season in which he has scored seven goals and recorded six assists. In 2024/25, he scored 29 goals and set up 18 in the league.
“I think Salah’s trying to vindicate himself and make himself feel better because he’s had a very poor season,” the England legend suggested.
“So I think he’s been very selfish in what he’s done in the two occasions. It’s a shame and fans will be on his side, but I think when you look deeper into it and having been in a dressing room in a similar situation to that as well, Mo Salah knows exactly what he’s doing.
“That’s your manager. You can’t publicly disrespect him twice the way he has and get away with it. And that’s where if I was Arne Slot, I’d have to pull rank and just say, listen, you’re not coming anywhere near the place on Saturday, whether you like it or not. I really doubt he will do it, but I think he should.
“Of course he deserves a good send off but does he deserve it just for this? It’s the second time he’s done it. it’s just a shame to see one of the great icons of Premier League players leave the Premier League probably in this situation.”
Salah’s future has not been confirmed but he has been linked with a move to the Saudi Pro League for well over a year, while there is also reported interest from Turkiye and Major League Soccer in the United States.
Liverpool, champions last season, will likely have to settle for a fifth-place finish this season, which still crucially earns them qualification to the Champions League.
Related stories:
Build The FIFA World Cup 2026™: LEGO© releases stunning football-inspired collection
Arsenal on red alert as top summer target ‘up for sale’
Transfer Rumours: Mourinho eyes Man City star as first Real Madrid signing
The FootballTransfers app
Check out FootballTransfers’ new app for all of football’s big storylines, transfer rumours and exclusive news in one convenient place directly on your mobile device.
The FootballTransfers app is available on Google Play and in the Apple App Store. Download here:
•Google Play
•App Store
View full bio
