The dispute between Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah and manager Arne Slot has erupted into a very public disagreement, drawing a blunt response from former England and Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney. Rooney, who spent years at the highest level of English football, has not hesitated to voice his opinion on the matter.
Rooney’s prescription: a disciplinary benching
Salah, who has already confirmed that the current campaign will be his final one at Anfield, has openly criticised Slot’s tactical approach, urging a return to a more flamboyant, high‑tempo style of play. His 29 goals in the 2024‑25 Premier League season earned him a fourth Golden Boot, yet this term he has managed only 12 strikes in 40 appearances, leaving Liverpool hovering in fifth place.
Rooney argues that Salah’s recent behaviour amounts to a selfish attempt to rewrite his legacy, and he called on Slot to bench the Egyptian for the season‑ending fixture as a clear signal of accountability. He pointed out that Salah’s legs may no longer be able to sustain the high‑intensity demands of the Premier League, making a disciplinary omission all the more plausible.
The criticism is not merely personal; it reflects a broader strain in the Liverpool camp after Jurgen Klopp’s departure and the arrival of Slot, whose philosophy emphasizes collective intensity over individual expression. Rooney’s stance adds a layer of former‑player authority to a situation that already involves a manager‑player rift that was first revealed in December.
While the debate continues, the Premier League itself remains a stage where such narratives reverberate, shaping storylines that will be remembered long after the final whistle. The coming match may well decide whether Salah finishes his Anfield saga with a flourish or a footnote, and whether Rooney’s call for a benching will influence the club’s final tactical decisions.