Wayne Rooney has urged Arne Slot to drop Mohamed Salah from Liverpool’s final match of the season, arguing the winger’s recent comments about Liverpool’s style and Slot’s approach undermine the new manager’s authority at a crucial moment, with Champions League qualification still potentially resting on the result against Brentford at Anfield.

The match on Sunday is set to be Salah’s farewell at Anfield. Liverpool may still need a win against Brentford, depending on Bournemouth’s result against Manchester City on Tuesday and whether Aston Villa win the Europa League. Rooney believes Slot should prioritise control of the dressing room over sentiment surrounding Salah’s departure.

Rooney was particularly critical of Salah’s public remarks about Liverpool’s current playing style. Salah suggested Slot’s approach does not suit Liverpool and said the team should play heavy metal football again, a clear reference to Jurgen Klopp’s era. Rooney argued such comments send a damaging message about Slot and to Liverpool’s squad.

Rooney said Salah’s remarks were especially disappointing given the forward’s history at Liverpool. Rooney said: “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,” the former Manchester United and Everton striker said on The Wayne Rooney show.

Rooney also questioned whether Salah can still handle the intense style Salah appears to favour. Rooney said: “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 anymore. 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.”

Rooney drew on personal experience to underline his view. Rooney recalled: “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.” Rooney suggested Slot might consider a similar stance with Salah for authority reasons.

Wayne Rooney Mohamed Salah Arne Slot Liverpool dressing-room tension

Rooney felt Salah’s words also placed pressure on Liverpool’s current squad. Rooney said: “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.”

Salah’s on-field return has come late in the season. Salah started Liverpool’s penultimate game, a 4-2 defeat to Aston Villa last Friday, after injury problems. That loss prolonged Liverpool’s poor run of form, increasing scrutiny on key players and Slot’s system as the club still chase a Champions League place.

Wayne Rooney Mohamed Salah Arne Slot Liverpool season statistics

Salah’s numbers this campaign have dropped compared with earlier years at Liverpool. Across all competitions, Salah has 21 goal involvements from 40 appearances. That is the 33-year-old’s lowest output in any season at Liverpool. The reduced return has framed much of the discussion around Salah’s future and recent public comments.

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Rooney linked Salah’s interviews to these struggles. Rooney said: “I think Salah’s trying to vindicate himself and make himself feel better because he’s had a very poor season,” Rooney added. “So I think he’s been very selfish in what he’s done onthe 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,Salah knows exactly what he’s doing.”

Rooney argued Salah’s actions left Slot with a difficult decision. Rooney said: “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, 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 to leave in this situation.”