Drawing parallels to his own legendary career under Sir Alex Ferguson, Rooney suggested that Slot must assert his authority to maintain discipline within the dressing room. He recalled being left out of Ferguson’s final game at Old Trafford following a disagreement, suggesting that a similar "pulling of rank" is required at Anfield to ensure the manager's position is not further compromised by a departing player.
"If I was Arne Slot, I’d have him nowhere near the stadium in the last game," Rooney insisted. "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. 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."
Regarding Salah’s imminent exit, Rooney remained firm: "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 icon of Premier League players leave the Premier League probably in this situation."