Rooney Says Slot Should Drop Salah Over 'Heavy Metal' Football Jab in Farewell Match

Manchester United legend Wayne Rooney believes that if he were Liverpool manager Arne Slot, he would drop Mohamed Salah from this weekend's farewell match following the Egyptian forward's recent post calling for a return to aggressive "heavy metal" football.

Salah's social media post has created internal turmoil at Liverpool after he called for the team to adopt a more attacking approach and maintain that distinctive identity. In his post, Salah stated: "That's the football I know how to play, and that's the identity we need to bring back and preserve. It's not negotiable, and everyone who joins this club should adapt to it."

Many view the post as a full-frontal attack on manager Arne Slot's tactics, particularly following the team's disappointing season performance.

Rooney recently expressed his view that if he were Slot, he would not let Salah anywhere near the pitch in the final game, especially since the winger is set to leave after this season. Rooney believes Salah's post shows a lack of trust in the head coach.

"I feel sorry for what he's achieved and done at Liverpool, but it's not the time for him to attack Arne again," Rooney said.

"He wants heavy metal football, so he's essentially saying he wants Jürgen Klopp's style of football. I think Mo Salah can't handle that intensity anymore. I don't think his legs can cope with the pace and intensity required."

"If I were Arne Slot, I wouldn't have him anywhere near the pitch in that final game. I had problems with Sir Alex Ferguson - we disagreed and fought. In Sir Alex's final game at Old Trafford, he dropped me for that reason."

"He's basically thrown a bomb and said he doesn't trust and doesn't believe in Arne, and he's left his teammates who will be here next season to deal with this mess too."