Mo-Show - Wayne Rooney Claims 'Selfish' Salah Should be DROPPED From Anfield Farewell

Wayne Rooney Calls for Salah Axe

Outbound Liverpool legend Mohamed Salah has been deemed as 'selfish' by former Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney, with the 40-year-old pundit claiming he should be dropped for the Reds' Premier League finale match against Brentford, which will act as Salah's Anfield farewell, as well as Andy Robertson's.

With Liverpool having their chances of qualifying for next season's Champions League in doubt after a bruising 4-2 loss to Aston Villa at the weekend, Salah stated that Liverpool have to return to being a "heavy metal attacking team that opponents fear."

'It is an unnecessarily sad end. But not as unnecessary and self-serving as Salah’s statement. If it has been misinterpreted, he needs to say so. But there has been nothing. So it was clear what he meant and what the consequence should be'

As @JBurtTelegraph explains, for the… pic.twitter.com/rlQbHZIsRo

— Telegraph Football (@TeleFootball) May 18, 2026

"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 that joins this club should adapt to it," he claimed in a social post that has been seen by many to be a criticism of under-fire manager Arne Slot.

The Egyptian, aged 33, will depart Liverpool after a legendary nine-year spell at the club in which he has netted 257 goals and helped the side win six major trophies. However, Rooney has said he should be dropped for his farewell match on Sunday.

Speaking on the Wayne Rooney Show, 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.

"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 any more. 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. 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.

"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."

Rooney Claims Salah is Trying to 'Vindicate' Himself

Salah announced his decision to leave Liverpool back in March, and shockingly claimed that his relationship with Slot had broken down.

The winger has won a record four Premier League Golden Boots, and scored 29 Premier League goals in the 24/25 season as the Reds claimed the title in Slot's first campaign.

However, he has not hit those levels this term with just 12 goals in 40 games, coming amidst a season wherein the defending champions are languishing in fifth place in the top-flight.

🚨 | @TEAMtalk: Liverpool are now holding serious internal discussions over sacking Arne Slot due to concerns behind the scenes at the club.

FSG are increasingly alarmed not only by results but also by the broader atmosphere surrounding the squad and project heading into the… pic.twitter.com/9Qr21ktMhP

— Anfield Edition | æ (@AnfieldEdition) May 18, 2026

"I think Salah's trying to vindicate himself and make himself feel better because he's had a very poor season," said Rooney.

"So I think he's been very selfish in what he's done in the 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, Mo Salah knows exactly what he's doing.

"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 on Saturday, 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 leave the Premier League probably in this situation."

'Players Have Downed Tools'

Slot has come under increasing pressure in the Anfield hot seat after their miserable title defence, with supporters growing more frustrated over time amidst calls for a switch in the summer. Rooney, however, is unsure over whether the Dutchman should be axed from his post.

I have witnessed this club go from doubters to believers, and from believers to champions. It took hard work and I always did everything I could to help the club get there. Nothing makes me prouder than that.

Us crumbling to yet another defeat this season was very painful and… pic.twitter.com/xsnD14QLTQ

— Mohamed Salah (@MoSalah) May 16, 2026

He said: "I think that's the biggest change for me where you go to Anfield, the first thing you want to do is quieten the crowd. But I think actually by Liverpool not pressing they're quietening the crowd down themselves and frustrating the Liverpool fans.

"And so that's the big, big change for me. I'm quite split in should he go or should he stay because he won the league last season, I think he deserves a bit more time, in terms of what we've seen this season.

"I don't feel right or good saying this, some players look like they've downed tools and that's a big problem if you see that or you feel that for the manager."