Wayne Rooney has called for Mohamed Salah to be left out of Liverpool’s final match of the season versus Brentford at Anfield, criticising the Egyptian striker of being “selfish” after openly rebuking manager Arne Slot. Salah, 33, who will leave the side at the end of the season after nine seasons and 257 goals, shared on social platforms demanding Liverpool return to being a “heavy metal attacking team that opponents fear” — a veiled rebuke of Slot’s tactical strategy. The remarks have heightened examination on the winger’s relationship with his boss, leading the ex-Manchester United striker to propose the club’s leadership should follow Sir Alex Ferguson’s precedent and keep out Salah from the upcoming final match entirely.
The Dispute Escalates at Anfield
Salah’s public criticism of Slot has created significant friction at Liverpool, especially considering the club’s underwhelming season by their recent standards. The 33-year-old winger, who claimed a record quartet of Premier League Golden Boot accolades during his time at Anfield, has struggled to replicate the form that established him as one of Europe’s most dangerous forwards. This season, he has registered just 12 goals in 40 appearances across all competitions, a sharp difference to his previous standards. His social media outburst has been broadly viewed as an effort to shift criticism from his own erratic form onto the manager’s tactical philosophy.
Rooney’s assessment cuts to the heart of the matter, suggesting Salah’s complaints stem from dissatisfaction over his own decline rather than authentic football-related worries. The ex-England star pointed out that the winger’s demands for rapid, attacking style conflict with his present fitness levels. By voicing complaints openly rather than resolving them in private, Salah has possibly undermined dressing room atmosphere and created unnecessary distraction as Liverpool strives to achieve European football. Rooney’s reference to Ferguson’s handling of like scenarios stresses the significance of maintaining discipline and unity during difficult times.
- Salah scored 29 Premier League goals in the previous campaign during Slot’s tenure
- The Egyptian forward confirmed his exit from Liverpool in March
- His working relationship with Slot reportedly deteriorated in December
- Liverpool currently sit fifth in the Premier League table
Rooney’s Take on Dressing Room Standards
Wayne Rooney’s demand for Salah’s exclusion extends beyond mere tactical disagreement; it demonstrates a wider perspective about maintaining squad discipline and protecting team morale in crucial moments. The former Manchester United captain drew upon his own experiences in top-level football settings, where public criticism of the manager has conventionally been regarded as a breach of professional conduct. Rooney emphasised that regardless of Salah’s legendary status and considerable achievements at Liverpool, permitting this conduct to remain unchecked would set a dangerous precedent for other players. His involvement implies that even the most accomplished players must ultimately defer to the manager’s control and the collective interests of the squad, especially if Champions League qualification remains at stake.
The moment of Salah’s display of frustration has worsened the problem, occurring at a moment when Liverpool needs maximum unity and commitment. By going public about his dissatisfaction with Slot’s tactics, Salah has arguably weakened the manager’s position and caused rifts within the dressing room. Rooney suggested that this represents a act of selfishness, putting individual vindication over squad unity. The winger’s move at season’s end provides no reason for destabilising the club during its run-in, particularly when junior squad members and those continuing beyond the summer will bear the consequences of such conflict.
A Parallel with the Ferguson Period
Rooney’s reference to Sir Alex Ferguson’s approach to similar situations carries significant importance, given Ferguson’s legendary ability to uphold standards whilst overseeing world-class talents. The former Manchester United manager famously omitted players from significant fixtures when they questioned his authority or broke dressing room standards, irrespective of their status or reputation. Ferguson’s final match at Old Trafford in 2013 provided a clear example of this principle in action, with Rooney himself enduring the consequences of conflicts with his manager. This precedent demonstrates that elite football clubs have traditionally emphasised institutional values and managerial authority over personal complaints, even when it involves star players.
Slot could learn valuable lessons from Ferguson’s methods, Rooney indicated, by showing that no player stands above the club’s interests or the manager’s choices. Excluding Salah from the Brentford match would send a powerful message about expectations and standards at Anfield, reinforcing that public dissent carries repercussions. Such a position would safeguard the manager’s standing and demonstrate to the rest of the squad that unity and discretion remain non-negotiable principles. Ferguson’s success stemmed partly from his willingness to make difficult decisions that placed emphasis on long-term development over immediate sentiment.
Salah’s Dipping Performance and Damaged Relationship
Mohamed Salah’s last campaign at Liverpool has been characterised by a stark contrast to his previous dominance in the Premier League. Having netted a remarkable 29 goals throughout the 2024-25 season when Liverpool claimed the championship under Arne Slot’s leadership, the Egyptian wide player has struggled significantly this term, managing just 12 goals in 40 appearances. This sharp decline in productivity has coincided with the emergence of tensions between Salah and his manager, with the player openly declaring in December that his connection to Slot had deteriorated beyond repair. The combination of poor form and personal discord has produced an unstable environment at Anfield as the campaign nears its end.
Rooney’s analysis that Salah is seeking to justify himself following a underwhelming year carries validity when assessing the winger’s performance decline. The four-time Golden Boot recipient, whose performances once struck fear into opposition defences in European competition, now is unable to reproduce the form that marked his nine-year tenure at the club. His open criticism of Slot’s tactics, whilst positioned as constructive feedback about Liverpool’s direction, appears to most observers as a deflection from his own poor form. This narrative of self-justification, coupled with his impending exit, has amplified the perception that Salah is prioritising personal vindication over the team’s interests at a critical time for the club.
| Season | Premier League Goals |
|---|---|
| 2024-25 | 29 |
| 2025-26 | 12 |
| Career Average | 22 |
- Salah revealed his Liverpool departure in the month of March after nine years at the club
- His working relationship with Slot deteriorated publicly in the month of December due to differences in tactics
- Poor form has been accompanied by growing criticism of the manager’s methods
Questions Surrounding Slot’s Leadership and Liverpool’s Path
Salah’s open criticism of Slot’s tactical philosophy has understandably raised questions about the manager’s standing and the club’s direction going forward. By calling for a return to the “attacking football” that characterised Jürgen Klopp’s time in charge, Salah has effectively questioned whether Slot’s measured approach is suitable for a club of Liverpool’s standing. This discourse, whether intentional or not, damages the manager’s reputation during a critical juncture when the Reds are fighting to secure Champions League qualification. Rooney’s perspective that Salah has “caused disruption” captures the unsettling impact of such open criticism, especially when coming from one of the squad’s most experienced players.
The timing of Salah’s involvement is particularly challenging given that Liverpool must navigate the last game of the season with their European future at stake. Rather than supporting Slot during this pivotal moment, the Egyptian winger has decided to voice complaints in public, generating disruption that the club can ill afford. The manager now faces the difficult challenge of restoring unity and concentration amongst his players whilst simultaneously justifying his tactical approach against criticism from a outgoing legend. This situation exemplifies the challenges that emerge when established squad members lose faith in their manager, potentially poisoning the atmosphere within the squad environment at exactly the wrong moment.
The Extended Influence on Team Morale and Engagement
Rooney’s observation that Salah has significantly damaged his colleagues staying at Liverpool next season speaks to the destructive influence of such open conflict. Players staying at Anfield must now navigate the awkward predicament of defending their manager whilst honouring the departing star’s concerns. This dynamic creates an untenable situation where group harmony becomes compromised, possibly impacting performances during important matches. The emotional toll of seeing an esteemed individual express such fundamental doubts about the boss’s strategy cannot be underestimated, especially among younger players who may wonder if they should also maintain concerns about the manager’s approach.
Liverpool’s leadership will certainly be worried about the pattern being established by permitting such dissent to remain unchallenged. If key squad members feel emboldened to openly question tactical choices, it establishes a dangerous pattern that could undermine Slot’s standing in the long term. The club must juggle respecting Salah’s legacy whilst simultaneously safeguarding the manager’s authority and the squad’s unity. How Liverpool manages this final match and the aftermath of Salah’s exit will send crucial signals about the club’s commitment to consistency and the regard shown towards its managers.
A Farewell Overshadowed by Bitterness
Salah’s closing act at Liverpool risks being remembered more for controversy than celebration, a stark contrast to what should have been a triumphant send-off for one of the club’s greatest ever players. His time spanning nine years has been extraordinary by any measure, yet the way he’s leaving has cast a shadow over his remarkable achievements. Rather than exiting with dignity and allowing his legacy to speak for itself, the 33-year-old has chosen to involve himself in a public row with his manager at a moment when Liverpool critically requires unity. The moment could scarcely be more inopportune, with the club’s place in the Champions League still uncertain and morale fragile following the damaging defeat to Aston Villa.
Rooney’s recommendation that Slot should leave out Salah from the final match on Sunday highlights the extent of the rift between them. Such a action would be unheard of for a player of his calibre, yet it emphasises how unsustainable the situation has become. The Egyptian forward’s public comments have effectively left Slot’s position, leaving the manager with restricted alternatives. Regardless, Liverpool confronts an uncomfortable conclusion to what ought to have been a season worthy of celebration. Salah’s leaving, formerly regarded as bittersweet, now holds the sour flavour of unresolved dispute and squandered opportunities for a more dignified farewell.