Mohamed Salah is under fire from former striker Wayne Rooney after publicly criticising his club — with Rooney warning that the Egyptian’s comments risk tarnishing a storied Anfield legacy.
What happened
- Salah has been left out of the starting XI in three consecutive games. After a 3–3 draw with Leeds United, he said he felt the club “threw him under the bus,” accused staff of scapegoating him, and admitted that his relationship with manager Arne Slot had broken down.
- Rooney responded by describing the outburst as “disrespectful” to teammates, fans and the club as a whole — calling Salah’s behaviour arrogant and damaging.
Why Rooney says it hurts Salah’s legacy
- Despite a hugely successful eight-year spell — including two league titles and over 250 goals for Liverpool — Rooney argues that Salah’s public airing of grievances undermines all he has achieved.
- Rooney said that by speaking out so publicly, especially at a time Liverpool are struggling (they’re currently ninth this season), Salah risks being remembered not only for his brilliance but also for this conflict — a stain on what had been a near-perfect legacy.
- On his podcast, Rooney added that if he were the manager he’d drop Mohamed from the squad, telling him: “Take yourself off to AFCON and let everything calm down.”
The bigger picture
Rooney’s comments reflect widespread shock and concern: when a club icon publicly criticises his own team and coach, it doesn’t just stir dressing-room tension — it raises questions about respect, professionalism, and whether personal grievances should stay private.
For a player of Mohamed’s stature — someone who has long been a talisman for Liverpool — this episode may mark a turning point. If not managed carefully, it could shift how fans and future generations remember him: not just as the prolific scorer he was, but as a player who ended his Anfield career on a sour note.
