Former Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney has accused Mohamed Salah of publicly disrespecting Liverpool manager Arne Slot following the Egyptian’s comments about the club’s playing style.
Rooney’s comments followed Salah’s public criticism of Slot after Liverpool’s 4-2 defeat to Aston Villa.
The Egyptian forward had called for a return to the “heavy metal” football style associated with former manager Jurgen Klopp.
Salah wrote: “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 who joins this club should adapt to it.”
The remarks were widely interpreted as criticism of Slot’s tactical approach during his first season at Anfield.
Reacting on the Wayne Rooney Show on Monday, Rooney said Salah’s comments were disappointing considering his achievements at Liverpool.
He 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.”
Rooney also questioned whether Salah could still cope with the intensity of Klopp’s style of football.
“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,” Rooney said.
The former England captain added that he would leave Salah out of Liverpool’s final game against Brentford if he were in Slot’s position.
“If I were Arne Slot, I’d have him nowhere near the stadium in the last game.
“He’s almost just dropped the grenade and said he doesn’t trust and believe in Arne Slot,” he said.
Rooney compared the situation to his own disagreement with former Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson during his playing career.
“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 explained.
Salah is expected to leave Liverpool at the end of the season after scoring 257 goals and helping the club win six major trophies, including the Premier League title under Slot this season.
Rooney, however, believes the winger’s latest comments have overshadowed what should have been a positive farewell.
“You can’t publicly disrespect him twice the way he has and get away with it.
“Of course, he deserves a good send-off, but does he deserve it just for this?
“It’s a shame to see one of the great icons of Premier League players leave the Premier League probably in this situation,” Rooney added.
