Wayne Rooney has criticized Mohamed Salah for publicly questioning Liverpool’s direction under Arne Slot and said the forward should be removed from the club’s final game of the season after showing “disrespect” towards his manager.

Speaking on The Wayne Rooney Show, the former Manchester United FC captain hit back strongly at Salah’s recent comments regarding his desire to bring Liverpool back to the “heavy metal” football played under former manager Jurgen Klopp.

Rooney said the comments were effectively another public jab at Slott and were unfair on a manager preparing for his first full season in charge.

“It saddens me what he did and what he achieved at Liverpool,” Rooney said. “There’s no point for him to come out and take another shot at the slot. He wants to play heavy metal football, so he’s basically saying he wants Jurgen Klopp football.”

Rooney also questioned whether Salah could still cope with the demands of Klopp’s high-intensity style.

“Now I don’t think Mo Salah can cope with that type of football. I think his feet have adapted to playing at that high pace and high intensity,” he said.

The former England captain said Salah’s comments had undermined the slot as he left Liverpool’s dressing room to deal with the consequences ahead of next season.

“He’s almost thrown a grenade and said he doesn’t trust Ernie Slot and he’s almost ousted his teammates who are going to be there next season and they have to deal with that too,” Rooney said.

Salah and Slott have faced a difficult relationship during the season. Earlier in the campaign, Salah accuses Liverpool of throwing him “under the bus” Amid disappointment over lack of regular starts.

Despite Salah’s record of 257 goals for Liverpool and his role in the club’s recent successes, Rooney believes the forward’s latest comments have diverted attention from a disappointing season on the pitch.

After scoring 29 league goals during Liverpool’s title-winning campaign last season, Salah has scored 12 goals in 40 appearances in all competitions this year as the club struggles to break into the top five.

“I think Salah is trying to vindicate himself and make himself feel better because he’s had a very bad season,” Rooney said. “So I think he’s been very selfish in what he’s done on two occasions.”

Rooney also recalled his dispute with former manager Alex Ferguson, saying that he was left out of Ferguson’s final home match following a disagreement. He believes Slott should take the same approach to Liverpool’s final match against Brentford FC.

Rooney said, “If I were Ernie Slott, I wouldn’t even have him anywhere near the stadium in the last game.” “He’s your manager. You can’t insult him twice in public and get away with it.”

Rooney said Salah deserves recognition for his achievements at Liverpool but the manner of his exit has marred a proper farewell.

“It’s a shame to see one of the great players of the Premier League leave the Premier League in perhaps this condition,” Rooney said.

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