Wayne Rooney has called on Liverpool manager Arne Slot to drop Mohamed Salah from the squad entirely for Sunday's final home match of the season against Brentford, branding the Egyptian forward's recent public comments as selfish and damaging to the club.

Salah sparked fresh controversy after Liverpool's 4-2 defeat to Aston Villa left their Champions League place in serious jeopardy, posting on social media that the club must return to being a "heavy metal attacking team that opponents fear." The remarks were widely interpreted as a pointed criticism of Slot's management style.

"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," Salah wrote.

Rooney's verdict

Speaking on The Wayne Rooney Show, the former Manchester United striker said he found the situation deeply disappointing given everything Salah has contributed at Anfield over nine years, a period that yielded 257 goals and six major trophies.

"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 said.

Rooney drew a direct parallel with his own experience under Sir Alex Ferguson, revealing that a disagreement led to him being left out of Ferguson's final match at Old Trafford. He argued Slot should exercise the same authority with Salah.

"If I was Arne Slot, I'd have him nowhere near the stadium in the last game," Rooney said. "He's almost just dropped the grenade and said he doesn't trust and believe in Arne Slot — and almost thrown his teammates who are going to be there next season under the bus as well."

A poor season behind the outburst

Salah, 33, announced his departure from Liverpool in March and confirmed in December that his relationship with Slot had deteriorated. Despite winning a record fourth Premier League Golden Boot last season with 29 goals as Liverpool claimed the title in Slot's debut campaign, he has managed just 12 goals in 40 appearances this term — a sharp decline as the defending champions sit fifth in the Premier League.

Rooney suggested that underwhelming return is the underlying motivation for Salah's public remarks. "I think Salah's trying to vindicate himself and make himself feel better because he's had a very poor season," he said. "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."

He also questioned whether Salah's body can still handle the relentless pressing style he appeared to advocate for in his post. "He wants to play heavy metal football — basically Jurgen Klopp football. 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 intensity."

Slot's future also in question

Rooney admitted he is divided over whether Slot himself should survive the season, noting the wider collapse in Liverpool's performances has frustrated supporters who once packed Anfield with a sense of genuine menace.

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

Rooney did acknowledge that Salah deserves a proper farewell after his extraordinary service to the club — but insisted the manner of his recent conduct has complicated what should have been a celebrated send-off.