Rooney blasts Salah's Slot attitude
Wayne Rooney has hit out at Mohamed Salah, suggesting Arne Slot should not include the winger in Liverpool's final game of the season.
Salah returned from injury to play his penultimate match for the Reds, as Liverpool went down 4-2 to Aston Villa.
He is set to make his farewell appearance at Anfield on Monday against Brentford.
Depending on Bournemouth's result against Manchester City a day later, and whether or not Aston Villa has won the Europa League, Liverpool may need to beat the Bees in order to guarantee Champions League qualification.
But Salah caused a stir over the weekend as he seemed to suggest Slot's style of play did not suit Liverpool, adding that he wanted the Reds to play "heavy metal football", like in the Jurgen Klopp days.
Rooney feels Slot should make a stand against the Egyptian.
"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," the former Manchester United and Everton striker said on The Wayne Rooney show.
"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 fallout and at Alex Ferguson's last game at Old Trafford, he left me out of the squad for that reason.
"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 and let them have to deal with that as well and put them into a position."
Salah has registered 21 goal involvements in 40 appearances across all competitions this season.
That is the 33 year-old's lowest return in a campaign across his Liverpool career.
"I think Salah's trying to vindicate himself and make himself feel better because he's had a very poor season," Rooney said.
"So I think he's been very selfish in what he's done on 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, 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, whether you like it or not. I really doubt he will do it, but I think he should.
"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 to leave in this situation."
