Former Manchester United FC captain Wayne Rooney has strongly criticised Mohamed Salah following remarks the Liverpool forward made after the club’s defeat to Aston Villa FC in the Premier League.
Salah came under scrutiny after posting a message on his official X account following Liverpool’s 4-2 loss in the 37th round of the league season. In the statement, the Egyptian forward appeared to call for a return to a more attacking style of football at Liverpool FC.
He wrote: “Liverpool must return to being an attacking team in a style that rivals fear. This is the football I know how to play, and this is the identity that must be restored and preserved forever.”
The comments were widely interpreted as an indirect criticism of Liverpool manager Arne Slot, who succeeded former coach Jurgen Klopp.
Rooney, speaking on the “Wayne Rooney Show”, said he was disappointed by the timing and nature of Salah’s remarks, especially given the player’s long-standing contribution to Liverpool.
“I feel sad about the way it’s ending after everything he’s done and achieved with Liverpool. It’s not appropriate for him to come out and direct further criticism at Slott,” Rooney said.
Salah is expected to leave Liverpool at the end of the season after a highly successful nine-year spell at Anfield in which he scored 257 goals and helped the club secure six major trophies.
Despite acknowledging Salah’s achievements, Rooney questioned whether the forward could still perform in the intense style of football associated with Klopp’s tenure.
“He wants to play heavy metal football, and therefore he is indirectly saying that he wants the football of (his former German coach) Jurgen Klopp. And now I don’t think Mohamed Salah is able to handle this type of football anymore. I think his legs can no longer handle playing at that fast pace and high intensity,” Rooney added.
The former England striker also claimed that if he had been in Slot’s position, he would have considered dropping Salah from Liverpool’s final game of the campaign.
“If I were in Arne Slott’s place, I wouldn’t have allowed him near the pitch in the last game. I had a similar experience with (former Manchester United manager) Alex Ferguson. I disagreed with him and we had a fight, and in his last game at Old Trafford, he left me out of the squad for that reason,” Rooney said.
He continued by suggesting Salah’s comments may have created tension within the squad ahead of next season.
“Salah almost dropped a bombshell when he said he doesn’t trust or believe in Slot’s coaching abilities, and he put his teammates who will be staying next season in a difficult position, leaving them to deal with this matter.”
Salah’s future beyond this season remains uncertain. Reports have linked the Egyptian international with potential interest from clubs in Saudi Arabia, Italy and the United States ahead of the 2026 summer transfer window.
The 33-year-old is expected to make what could be his final appearance for Liverpool on Sunday when the Premier League champions host Brentford FC at Anfield in the final round of the season.
