Rooney Claims Salah is Ruining His Reputation

Concerns Over Salah’s Future with Liverpool

Former Manchester United forward Wayne Rooney has expressed serious concerns regarding Mohamed Salah’s impact on his legacy at Liverpool. According to Rooney, Salah’s recent comments suggest he feels alienated from the club, indicating a potential breakdown in relations with head coach Arne Slot.

Rooney believes that Slot must take decisive action by omitting Salah from the squad for the upcoming Champions League match against Inter Milan and the following home game against Brighton. He stated in a podcast, “Arne Slot has to establish his authority. He should tell Salah, ‘You’re not traveling with the team; what you’ve said is unacceptable.’”

Rooney suggested that Salah might benefit from taking a step back, potentially focusing on playing in the Africa Cup of Nations to allow tensions to cool. He emphasized that the situation must be resolved swiftly, either by Salah mending relations with Slot or considering his departure from Liverpool.

The Current Situation

After a disappointing spell, during which Salah has not scored since the beginning of November, he finds himself sidelined for the last three matches, including being an unused substitute in Saturday’s 3-3 draw against Leeds United. Following the game, Salah expressed his frustrations with the media, reflecting on how he feels betrayed and scapegoated by the club.

“I used to have a strong relationship with the manager, and then suddenly there’s nothing. It feels as if the club is trying to make me the scapegoat,” he said.

Salah, who has netted 250 goals for Liverpool in 420 appearances, signed a two-year extension to his contract earlier this year, showcasing his commitment to the club. However, Rooney highlighted the puzzling nature of Salah’s public remarks and their potential repercussions on his standing with the fans and teammates.

Rooney reflected, “In doing this, he jeopardizes his legacy at Liverpool, which would be a real shame. He’s handling the situation poorly.”

‘Salah’s Comments Are Disrespectful’

Salah’s remarks come against the backdrop of Liverpool’s struggles this season, sitting ninth in the Premier League table—10 points behind league leaders Arsenal—with just seven victories from the initial 15 games of the season. His own performance has been underwhelming, scoring only four times in 13 league appearances.

Rooney criticized Salah’s assertion that he should not have to “fight every day for his place,” stressing that complacency can lead to declining performances, a sentiment echoed by others in the football community. “Time will catch up with everyone, and he hasn’t looked his best this season. He needs to prove himself again,” Rooney added.

He concluded that Salah’s comments could create discord within the squad, suggesting, “If I were one of his teammates, I would be frustrated with what he said. This is when Liverpool needs him the most, and his comments have put the club in a difficult position.”

Conclusion

As the situation develops, all eyes will be on Salah and Liverpool to see if they can navigate this challenging moment. The coming matches will be critical, not just for his personal standing in the team, but also for the club’s aspirations in the league and European competitions.