Former Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney says Mohamed Salah is “destroying his legacy” at Liverpool after the forward publicly accused the club of throwing him “under the bus.”
Rooney made the comments on his podcast while reacting to Salah’s outburst following Liverpool’s 3-3 draw with Leeds United on Saturday. The Egyptian star has not started any of the club’s last three games and stayed on the bench throughout the match.
Salah told reporters that his relationship with manager Arne Slot had suddenly collapsed.
He said: “It seems like the club has thrown me under the bus… I think it is very clear that someone wanted me to get all of the blame.”
Rooney criticised Salah for going public with his frustration.
“He is absolutely destroying his legacy at Liverpool,” Rooney said. “It would be sad for him to throw it all away. He’s gone about it all wrong.”
He urged Slot to take a firm stand and drop Salah for upcoming matches, including Tuesday’s Champions League game against Inter Milan and the Premier League clash with Brighton.
“Arne Slot has to show his authority,” Rooney said. “Tell him, ‘You’re not travelling with the team; what you said is not acceptable.’ Take yourself off to AFCON and let everything calm down.”
Rooney added that Salah must either fix his issues with Slot or consider leaving the club entirely.
Although Salah signed a two-year extension in April and scored 29 league goals in last season’s title-winning campaign, Rooney insisted that past achievements don’t guarantee a starting spot.
Salah had said he shouldn’t have to “fight for his position” because he earned it.
But Rooney disagreed: “Time catches up with all of us… this season he hasn’t looked sharp. Roll your sleeves up and prove it.”
Rooney also said Salah’s comments were unfair to his team-mates.
“If I was one of them, I wouldn’t be happy. He’s thrown the team, the manager and the fans under the bus,” he said.
He warned the situation could unsettle the dressing room as new players continue to adapt under Slot.
