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The Liverpool forward has faced criticism for his remarks following the team’s recent defeat.

Mohamed Salah was visibly frustrated after Liverpool suffered a 4-2 loss to Aston Villa on Friday night.

The Egyptian international, who is expected to make his final appearance for the Reds at Anfield against Brentford on Sunday, stated that the team must return to the “heavy metal” style of football once seen under Jurgen Klopp’s predecessor, Arne Slot.

Slot has been under mounting scrutiny as Liverpool sit fifth in the Premier League standings, having endured 12 losses during a disappointing title defence.

Although many Liverpool supporters agreed with Salah’s criticism following “yet another defeat,” former Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney shared a contrasting opinion.

Rooney suggested that Salah should be dropped for Liverpool’s final game of the season, effectively missing out on his farewell appearance at Anfield.

“It’s sad to see this at the end of what he’s done and achieved at Liverpool. But it’s not right for him to come out and take another dig at Slot,” the former England captain commented on the Wayne Rooney Show.

“He says he wants to play heavy metal football, which basically means he wants Jurgen Klopp’s football back. But I don’t think Mo Salah can handle that level of intensity anymore. I think his legs can’t manage that high-tempo style now.”

Rooney continued, “If I were Arne Slot, I wouldn’t have him anywhere near the stadium for the last match. I had a similar issue with Sir Alex Ferguson — we had a disagreement, and for his final game at Old Trafford, he left me out of the squad for that reason.”

“Salah’s comments are like dropping a grenade — he’s essentially saying he doesn’t trust or believe in Arne Slot, and he’s also put his team-mates, who’ll still be here next season, in a difficult position.”

Salah had previously been dropped by Slot in December after suggesting that he had been “thrown under the bus” and that he shared “no relationship” with the manager.

Rooney added, “I think he’s been very selfish on both occasions. It’s unfortunate because fans will side with him, but when you look deeper, and having been in a similar dressing-room situation myself, Mo Salah knows exactly what he’s doing.”

“That’s your manager — you can’t publicly disrespect him twice and expect no consequences. If I were Arne Slot, I’d assert my authority and tell him he’s not coming near the stadium on Sunday, whether he likes it or not. I doubt he’ll actually do that, but I believe he should.”

“Of course, Salah deserves a good send-off for what he’s achieved, but after this? It’s the second time he’s done it. It’s a shame to see one of the Premier League’s great icons potentially leave under such circumstances.”