Former England captain Wayne Rooney has sparked fresh debate in the football world after strongly criticizing Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah, suggesting that the Egyptian star should be dropped from the squad for their final Premier League match of the season against Brentford. Rooney described Salah’s recent social media activity as “selfish,” arguing that it has created unnecessary tension within the dressing room and indirectly undermined manager Arne Slot at a crucial stage of the campaign.

The controversy began after Liverpool’s disappointing 4-2 defeat to Aston Villa on May 16, a result that triggered frustration among fans and players alike. In the aftermath of the loss, Salah took to X and Instagram to express his concerns about the team’s performances and future direction. In his post, he claimed that Liverpool were “crumbling” and called for a return to their famous high-intensity attacking style, often referred to by fans as “heavy metal football.”

Salah’s message did not stop there. He went on to emphasize that Liverpool’s identity must remain rooted in aggressive, fearless attacking play, stating that it is the only way the club can consistently win trophies. He also insisted that anyone joining Liverpool must adapt to that philosophy without compromise, adding that the identity of the club “cannot be negotiable.”

While many supporters agreed with the sentiment behind his comments, others viewed the timing and tone of the post as controversial, especially given that Liverpool are still navigating the final stretch of the season under new management. Rooney, however, took a far more critical stance, arguing that Salah’s public remarks crossed a line.

Speaking in a football discussion following the incident, Rooney suggested that Salah’s comments effectively questioned the authority of manager Arne Slot. According to Rooney, the post created an impression that Salah no longer trusted the manager’s methods and had potentially unsettled teammates who would remain at the club beyond the current season.

“At the end of the day, Arne Slot is the manager of Liverpool,” Rooney said. “He’s almost had a grenade thrown at him. It feels like Salah is saying he doesn’t believe in the manager, and he’s also putting his teammates in a difficult position going forward.”

The former Manchester United striker also pointed out that Salah’s influence within the dressing room makes his public statements even more impactful. With senior players often shaping the emotional tone of a squad, Rooney argued that such comments can have consequences far beyond social media reactions.

Despite acknowledging Salah’s extraordinary legacy at Liverpool, Rooney highlighted the forward’s struggles this season. The Egyptian has scored just seven Premier League goals so far, a significant drop compared to his usual standards and potentially his lowest output since joining the club. Although he has previously scored 191 Premier League goals and won multiple major trophies including the league title and Champions League, Rooney suggested that “time catches everyone,” implying that Salah’s performances have begun to decline.

Rooney also claimed that Salah’s actions on two separate occasions this season have been unnecessarily disruptive. While he did not elaborate on all incidents in detail, he insisted that this was not an isolated moment but part of a pattern that could create tension inside the squad.

“I think he’s been very selfish in what he’s done,” Rooney said. “It’s a shame because fans are always on his side, but when you look deeper, it creates problems in the dressing room. I’ve been in similar situations before, and players know exactly what they are doing when they make public statements like that.”

He further referenced examples from football history where senior players publicly challenged authority or signaled dissatisfaction, comparing the situation loosely to moments involving major stars leaving clubs under tense circumstances. Rooney suggested that even though such figures are often respected, their influence can become disruptive when not carefully managed.

The former striker also directed criticism toward Liverpool manager Arne Slot, suggesting that he has so far failed to fully control the situation. However, Rooney insisted that regardless of internal disagreements, the manager must assert authority. In his view, Slot should take a firm stance and potentially exclude Salah from the final match of the season against Brentford.

“If I was Arne Slot, I’d pull rank and say you’re not involved on Saturday,” Rooney stated. “Whether you like it or not, that’s how you maintain control.”

He added that although Salah arguably deserves a proper farewell given his achievements at the club, his recent actions complicate that narrative. Rooney questioned whether a ceremonial send-off should still be guaranteed if a player has publicly challenged the manager on multiple occasions.

“It’s a shame to see one of the great icons of the Premier League potentially leaving in this kind of situation,” Rooney said. “But respect has to go both ways.”

Behind the scenes, Liverpool’s season remains finely balanced. Depending on other results, including a potential Manchester City victory over Bournemouth, Liverpool could enter their final match already secure in a top-five finish. This would reduce the stakes of the Brentford fixture, but tensions surrounding Salah’s comments have nonetheless added an unexpected layer of drama.

Manager Arne Slot has reportedly already rotated Salah out of the starting lineup on several occasions this season, including matches in December where the forward did not feature at all. Those decisions had already sparked debate among fans about Salah’s role in the team’s evolving tactical structure.

Now, Rooney’s remarks have intensified scrutiny on both player and manager. Supporters remain divided, with some agreeing that discipline must come first, while others believe Salah’s comments reflect legitimate concerns about the club’s direction following inconsistent performances.

What is clear, however, is that Salah’s legacy at Liverpool remains immense, regardless of current tensions. His goals, records, and trophy contributions have cemented him as one of the greatest players in the club’s history. Yet, as Rooney’s comments demonstrate, even legendary status does not place a player above criticism when internal harmony is at stake.

As the season approaches its conclusion, attention now turns to whether Slot will respond publicly, and whether Salah will feature in Liverpool’s final game. For now, the situation remains one of the most discussed talking points in English football — a mixture of legacy, authority, performance decline, and the increasingly powerful influence of social media on modern dressing rooms.