Wayne Rooney has accused Mohamed Salah of acting "selfishly" after the Liverpool star appeared to aim another public dig at manager Arne Slot.
Salah sparked debate over the weekend after reacting to Liverpool's 4-2 defeat to Aston Villa with a strongly worded social media post.
The Egyptian, who will leave Anfield when his contract expires this summer, lamented Liverpool's struggles and called for the club to return to the "heavy metal attacking football" that became synonymous with former boss Jurgen Klopp.
Rooney believes the comments were an unnecessary and public swipe at Slot during what is already a difficult period for the Dutchman.
"I find it sad at the end of what he's done and what he's achieved at Liverpool," Rooney said on The Wayne Rooney Show.
"It's not the point for him to come out and aim another dig at Slot."
Rooney interpreted Salah's remarks as a clear endorsement of Klopp's philosophy over Slot's more measured approach.
Wayne Rooney has accused Mohamed Salah of acting "selfishly" after the Liverpool star appeared to aim another public dig at manager Arne Slot
|PA
"He wants to play heavy metal football, so he's basically saying he wants Jurgen Klopp football," Rooney said.
"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."
The former Manchester United captain went even further, insisting he would exclude Salah entirely from Liverpool's final home match of the season against Brentford on Sunday.
Mohamed Salah and Arne Slot have clashed at Liverpool this season | PALATEST SPORTS NEWS:
Mohamed Salah has won every major trophy during his time with Liverpool
|PA/GB NEWS
"If I was Arne Slot, I'd have him nowhere near the stadium in the last game," Rooney added. "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."
Rooney then drew comparisons with his own falling-out with Sir Alex Ferguson, revealing he was left out of Ferguson's final match at Old Trafford after a disagreement.
Salah's latest comments come at the end of a frustrating campaign by his own high standards.
After producing a remarkable 29 goals and 18 assists to win the Premier League Player of the Season award in 2024-25, the 32-year-old has scored only seven league goals this term.
Rooney suggested the timing of Salah's statement was no coincidence.
"I think Salah's trying to vindicate himself and make himself feel better because he's had a very poor season," he said. "So I think he's been very selfish in what he's done.
Mohamed Salah has endured a difficult final season with Liverpool
| PA"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."
Despite his criticism, Rooney acknowledged Salah's extraordinary legacy at Liverpool, where he has won nine major trophies and established himself as one of the finest players in Premier League history.
"It's just a shame to see one of the great iconic Premier League players leave the Premier League in this situation," Rooney said.
In the social media post that triggered the controversy, Salah wrote that Liverpool had "crumbled to yet another defeat" and insisted the club must rediscover the attacking identity that made them one of Europe's most feared teams under Klopp.
Whether they can secure Champions League qualification for next season on Sunday remains to be seen.