Wayne Rooney believes Arne Slot should leave Mohamed Salah out of the squad entirely for Liverpool's last home match of the season, calling the Egyptian's latest public broadside at his manager "selfish" and damaging to the squad.

Salah sparked fresh controversy this week with a social media post following Liverpool's 4-2 defeat to Aston Villa — a result that left the defending champions' Champions League qualification in serious doubt. In it, the departing forward called for Liverpool to return to being a "heavy metal attacking team that opponents fear", adding that the identity "cannot be negotiable" and that every player who joins the club "should adapt to it". The remarks were widely interpreted as a pointed criticism of Slot's more measured, possession-based approach.

Speaking on his podcast, Rooney drew on his own personal experience of being left out by Sir Alex Ferguson following a dressing-room disagreement, and said Slot would be fully justified in taking similar action this weekend.

"If I was Arne Slot, I'd have him nowhere near the stadium in the last game," Rooney said. "He's almost just dropped the grenade and said he doesn't trust and believe in Arne Slot, and almost thrown his teammates who are going to be there next season under the bus."

A farewell tarnished

Salah, 33, confirmed in March that he would be leaving Anfield when his contract expires at the end of the season. His nine years on Merseyside have produced 257 goals and six major trophies, including a Premier League title in Slot's debut campaign last term — when the winger contributed 29 league goals and claimed a record fourth Premier League Golden Boot.

This season, though, has been a stark contrast. Salah has managed just 12 goals in 40 appearances as Liverpool have slipped to fifth in the table, a long way from where the club expected to be heading into May.

Rooney suggested the timing of Salah's comments was not coincidental. "I think Salah's trying to vindicate himself and make himself feel better because he's had a very poor season," he said. "He wants to play heavy metal football — so he's basically saying he wants Jürgen Klopp football. I don't think Mo Salah can cope with that type of football anymore. I think his legs have gone to play at that high tempo and intensity."

Rooney added that while supporters would naturally sympathise with a player of Salah's stature, a closer look at the situation painted a different picture. "That's your manager. You can't publicly disrespect him twice the way he has and get away with it," he said. "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."

Slot's future also under scrutiny

The furore around Salah arrives at an already difficult moment for Slot, whose first full season in charge has deteriorated sharply after the title triumph of 2023-24. Rooney admitted he was torn over whether the Dutchman should keep his job beyond the summer.

"He won the league last season — I think he deserves a bit more time," Rooney said, before adding a significant caveat. "I don't feel right or good saying this, but some players look like they've downed tools, and that's a big problem if you feel that for the manager."

Rooney also pointed to Liverpool's lack of pressing as a key factor in the Anfield atmosphere turning flat. "The first thing you want to do when you go to Anfield is quieten the crowd," he said. "But by Liverpool not pressing, they're quietening the crowd down themselves."

Whether Slot acts on the Salah situation or gives the club's all-time leading scorer a fitting farewell remains to be seen. The noises out of Anfield suggest Slot is unlikely to drop Salah entirely — but after a second public dig in the space of months, the pressure on him to respond is real.

Frequently asked

Why does Wayne Rooney think Salah should be dropped?
Rooney believes Salah's second public criticism of manager Arne Slot — calling for Liverpool to return to 'heavy metal' football after a defeat to Aston Villa — was selfish and disrespectful, and that Slot would be within his rights to leave him out of the squad for the final home game of the season.
When does Mohamed Salah leave Liverpool?
Salah confirmed in March 2025 that he will leave Liverpool when his contract expires at the end of the 2024-25 season. He has scored 257 goals for the club across nine years.
Is Arne Slot under pressure at Liverpool?
Yes. After winning the Premier League in his debut season, Slot's second campaign has been a major disappointment, with Liverpool sitting fifth in the table and their Champions League place in doubt heading into the final fixtures.