Mohamed Salah could be denied a final appearance at Anfield after former Manchester United and England striker Wayne Rooney called on Liverpool manager Arne Slot to leave the Egyptian out of Sunday's season finale against Brentford.

Salah sparked fresh controversy following Liverpool's 4-2 defeat at Aston Villa on Friday, publicly suggesting the club need to return to the "heavy metal" football associated with Jurgen Klopp — a remark widely interpreted as a direct criticism of Slot's methods.

Rooney's verdict

Rooney, speaking on the Wayne Rooney Show, said the timing and nature of Salah's comments were deeply disappointing given everything the forward has contributed to Liverpool.

"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.

The former striker also questioned whether Salah's body could even handle the high-intensity style he appeared to be advocating for. "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," he said.

Drawing on his own experience under Sir Alex Ferguson at Manchester United, Rooney argued that Slot would be justified in omitting Salah entirely. "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 fall out and at Alex Ferguson's last game at Old Trafford, he left me out of the squad for that reason."

A pattern of public criticism

This is not the first time Salah has publicly clashed with Slot. Back in December, the forward was dropped after claiming he had been "thrown under the bus" and that he had "no relationship" with his manager. Slot did restore him to the side thereafter, but Sunday's comments have reopened old wounds.

Rooney was unsparing in his assessment. "I think he's been very selfish in what he's done on the two occasions," 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 added that while fans would naturally side with Salah, the bigger picture painted a troubling image. "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 — under the bus as well."

Liverpool's troubled season

The backdrop to all of this is a Liverpool campaign that has unravelled dramatically. Slot's side sit fifth in the Premier League, having suffered 12 defeats in a woeful defence of their title. The pressure on the Dutchman has been mounting for weeks, and Salah's public comments have only intensified the scrutiny around the club.

Rooney acknowledged that Salah deserves a proper send-off after his iconic career at Anfield, but insisted that a second public outburst changes the calculus. "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 in this situation."