Wayne Rooney tells Arne Slot to drop Mo Salah for Anfield farewell game

Mohamed Salah should be "nowhere near" Anfield during Liverpool's final game of the season, according to Wayne Rooney, who believes the player should be dropped from Arne Slot's plans on Sunday.

Last week, following Liverpool's 4-2 defeat against Aston Villla, a clearly frustrated Salah shared an explosive social media post that continues to make headlines.

In a strongly-worded statement across his social media channels, the 33-year-old appeared to aim a dig at Arne Slot's style of play as he urged Liverpool to return to being a "heavy metal attacking team that opponents fear".

He added: "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."

Salah, who has scored 19 goals in all competitions this season, would also promise to fight to secure Champions League football in his final match for the club.

But the question remains – will the Egyptian be involved in Sunday's match against Brentford? Wayne Rooney believes Salah should be dropped from Arne Slot's squad for his Anfield farewell following his public outburst.

"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 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," continued Rooney. "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.

"He's almost just dropped the grenade and said he doesn't trust and believe in Arne Slot and almost thrown his teammates who are going to be there next season and let them have to deal with that as well and put them into a position."

Rooney believes Salah should be dropped for Liverpool's final game of the season. Image credit: Getty

Speaking about Salah's behaviour this season, Rooney believes the forward has been "selfish".

"I think Salah's trying to vindicate himself and make himself feel better because he's had a very poor season," he added.

"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.

"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."

Mohamed Salah's explosive statement in full

"I have witnessed this club go from doubters to believers, and from believers to champions," he wrote. "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. Winning some games here and there is not what Liverpool should be about. All teams win games.

"Liverpool will always be a club that means a great deal to me and to my family. I want to see it succeed for long after I have moved on."

"As I’ve always said, qualifying to next season’s Champions League is the bare minimum and I will do everything I can to make that happen," added Salah.

Liverpool are currently fifth in the Premier League table ahead of their final game of the season against Brentford. Thoughts on Rooney's take? Let us know in the comments.