Rooney Claims Salah Is ‘Destroying His Liverpool Legacy’ After Explosive Outburst

Mohamed Salah is facing sharp criticism after saying he felt “thrown under the bus” by Liverpool, a dramatic declaration that has intensified tensions surrounding his future at the club. His comments came after he was benched for the third straight match during Liverpool’s 3-3 draw against Leeds. Despite being one of the club’s greatest-ever forwards, Salah said he no longer has a relationship with manager Arne Slot. The statement has fuelled speculation that the upcoming home match against Brighton could be his final appearance before he heads to the Africa Cup of Nations.

Salah trained with the team on Monday ahead of their Champions League match against Inter Milan. Even so, the fallout from his comments continues to grow, especially after Wayne Rooney weighed in. The former Manchester United striker said Slot must assert control and remove Salah from the squad entirely for the trip to Italy. “Arne Slot has to show his authority and pull him in and say ‘you are not travelling with the team, what you said is not acceptable’,” said Rooney on his BBC podcast. “Take yourself off to AFCON and let everything calm down. If I was him there would be no way he would be in the team.”

Rooney went on to warn that the Egyptian star is risking irreversible damage to his reputation at Anfield. “He (Salah) is absolutely destroying his legacy at Liverpool. It would be sad for him to throw it all away. He’s gone about it all wrong.”

Why is Salah’s frustration escalating now?

Salah, now 33, remains Liverpool’s third-highest goalscorer with 250 goals in 420 appearances, a record that places him among the club’s all-time greats. However, this season has been far from his best. Liverpool’s inconsistent form has left them ninth in the table, while Salah has scored only four goals in 13 Premier League matches. His reduced impact has raised questions about his role under Slot and whether the team is preparing for a new era without him.

After the Leeds game, Salah explained his frustrations. “I said many times before that I had a good relationship with the manager, and all of a sudden we don’t have any relationship,” he told reporters. “It seems like the club has thrown me under the bus. That is how I am feeling. I think it is very clear that someone wanted me to get all of the blame.”

What could this mean for Liverpool’s season and Salah’s future?

With AFCON approaching, Liverpool face the possibility that Salah’s next match could be his last for the club. His comments have created an atmosphere of uncertainty around the dressing room and amplified pressure on Slot to respond. Choosing to play Salah risks appearing weak, yet leaving him out could deepen the rift and heighten speculation about a transfer.

The situation arrives at a difficult time for Liverpool, who already face a challenging campaign. As the Champions League clash with Inter Milan approaches, the club must balance discipline, team unity, and the legacy of a player who has shaped Liverpool’s modern identity.

Whatever happens next, it is clear that the relationship between Salah and the club has reached a crucial turning point, and its impact will be felt long after the final whistle of this season.

By Yockshard Enyendi