Wayne Rooney has sparked major debate after claiming Arne Slot should completely remove Mohamed Salah from Liverpool’s final game of the season following the Egyptian’s explosive social media comments.
Speaking about Salah’s recent post criticising the direction and identity of Liverpool, Rooney said:
“If I was Arne Slot, I’d have him nowhere near the stadium in the last game.”
The comments have immediately divided opinion among Liverpool supporters.
For many fans, Rooney’s suggestion feels completely unthinkable.
With this expected to be Salah’s final appearance for Liverpool, supporters want the chance to properly say goodbye to one of the greatest players in the club’s modern history.
To deny him a farewell at Anfield would likely create outrage among large sections of the fanbase.
Especially given how much Salah has contributed during his time at the club.
Others, however, will understand the point Rooney is trying to make.
Managers are expected to protect their authority and maintain control of the dressing room.
And Salah’s public criticism of Liverpool’s standards, identity and mentality has undoubtedly created tension around the club.
Rooney clearly believes allowing Salah to play after those comments would make Slot appear weak.
But what many Liverpool supporters are also noticing is how frequently Rooney has voiced opinions about Liverpool this season.
Whether discussing the club’s performances, Salah’s future, the atmosphere around the dressing room or Slot’s position, Rooney has repeatedly inserted himself into conversations surrounding Liverpool’s struggles.
And understandably, some fans feel the former Manchester United striker has been particularly eager to comment whenever negativity surrounds Anfield.
That is why many supporters will likely dismiss Rooney’s latest comments entirely.
From a Liverpool perspective, Salah is not just another player causing dressing room drama.
He is viewed as a club legend who has publicly voiced frustrations that many supporters themselves share.
The situation also highlights how messy things have become around Liverpool in recent weeks.
Instead of focus being purely on football, the conversation has shifted towards dressing room tensions, public statements, uncertainty over the manager and questions about the club’s identity.
And with just one game remaining, the pressure and scrutiny around everyone involved continues to grow.
Whatever happens against Brentford one thing feels certain:
If Salah really is playing his final game for Liverpool, supporters will want him on that pitch at Anfield.
Regardless of what Wayne Rooney thinks.
Jamie (The Kopite View)
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