Aston Villa v Liverpool - Premier League - Source: Getty
Moahmed Salah will be making his final Liverpool appearance against Brentford this Sunday - Source: Getty
Wayne Rooney has hit out at Liverpool superstar Mohamed Salah for his comments on social media regarding the Reds' style of play this season. Ahead of his final game for Liverpool, Salah called for the defending Premier League champions to return to being a 'heavy metal attacking team that opponents fear.'
In an impassioned post, Salah said:
"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 not what our fans deserve. I want to see Liverpool go back to being the heavy metal attacking team that opponents fear and back to being a team that wins trophies. 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."
While many Liverpool fans and even some players in the current squad seemed to agree with Salah's post, Wayne Rooney has now said that he thinks that the Egyptian King should be dropped from his farewell match at Anfield.
Speaking on the Wayne Rooney Show (available on BBC iPlayer), the Manchester United legend 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 anymore. 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 fall out and at Alex Ferguson's last game at Old Trafford, he left me out of the squad for that reason.
Rooney also went on to say that Salah is trying to vindicate himself and was selfish for making those comments ahead of a crucial final-day clash against Brentford.
"I think Salah's trying to vindicate himself and make himself feel better because he's had a very poor season.
"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.
Also read: Dominik Szoboszlai, Hugo Ekitike and other Liverpool stars appear to support Mo Salah following his social media outburst after Villa loss
Liverpool manager Arne Slot is under a lot of pressure after a disastrous season, and Mohamed Salah's public outburst
Aston Villa v Liverpool - Premier League - Source: Getty
Aston Villa v Liverpool - Premier League - Source: Getty
While there have been mitigating factors such as the form and fitness of new signings, the tragic passing of Diogo Jota, and the performances of senior players like Mohamed Salah and Alexis Mac Allister this season, there is no denying that Arne Slot has not got the best out of his squad, particularly the new signings.
Liverpool have looked devoid of ideas in attack and extremely porous in defence, which has left them looking nervously over their shoulders to secure UEFA Champions League qualification.
With senior figures like Mohamed Salah and Andy Robertson leaving and a lot of uncertainty over the futures of other key players like Ibrahima Konate, Alisson Becker, Curtis Jones, Joe Gomez, Virgil van Dijk and Federico Chiesa, Arne Slot will have a lot of rebuilding to do if he remains as head coach of Liverpool after this season.
Also read: "Liverpool play a high line and don't play offside" - Aston Villa star Ollie Watkins explains exactly how he punished Arne Slot's tactics