Mohamed Salah should not be "anywhere near Anfield" during Liverpool's final game of the season, according to Wayne Rooney, who believes the player should be left out of Arne Slott's plans on Sunday.
Last week, following Liverpool's 4-2 defeat to Aston Villa, a visibly frustrated Salah published an explosive post on social media that continues to make waves.
In a strongly-worded statement, the 33-year-old appeared to criticise Arne Slott's style of play, while demanding that Liverpool return to "heavy metal attacking football that opponents fear".
He added: "This is the football I know how to play and this is the identity that must be restored and preserved forever. It should not be negotiable and every player who joins this club must adapt to it."
Salah, who has scored 19 goals in all competitions this season, also promised to fight to secure the Champions League in his final game with the club.
But the question remains – will the Egyptian be involved in Sunday's match against Brentford?
Wayne Rooney believes Salah should be left out of Arne Slott's farewell squad at Anfield after his public outburst.
"I find it sad in the end, after everything he's done and achieved at Liverpool. It wasn't the time for him to go out in public and hit Slotin again," Rooney said on the "Wayne Rooney Show."
"He wants heavy metal football, so he's practically saying he wants Jurgen Klopp's football. I don't think Mo Salah can handle that kind of football anymore. I believe his legs are no longer for that pace and high intensity," the Englishman added.
"If I were Arne Sloti, I wouldn't even let him near the stadium in the last game," Rooney continued.
"It happened to me with Alex Ferguson. We had a disagreement and conflict, and in Ferguson's last game at Old Trafford he left me out of the team for that reason," Rooney said.
"He practically threw the grenade and said he doesn't trust Arne Slot, while also putting his teammates who will be there next season in a difficult position," the Englishman said.
Speaking about Salah's behaviour this season, Rooney said the striker has been "selfish".
"I think Salah is trying to justify himself and feel better because he has had a very poor season," he added.
"I think he was very selfish in what he did on both occasions. It's unfortunate and the fans will be on his side, but when you look deeper and you've been in a dressing room in similar situations, Mo Salah knows exactly what he's doing," he added.
"He's your coach. You can't publicly disrespect him twice and get away with it."
“If I were Arne Sloti, I would have to show authority and say: ‘You are not going anywhere near the stadium on Saturday, whether you like it or not.’ I highly doubt he will do that, but I think he should.”
"Of course he deserves a good farewell, but does he deserve it after this? It's the second time he's done it. It's just a shame to see one of the biggest icons of the Premier League leave perhaps in this way."
In his statement, Salah wrote:
"I've seen this club go from doubters to believers and from believers to champions. It took a lot of work and I always did everything I could to help the club get there. Nothing makes me prouder than that."
"Our destruction in another defeat this season was very painful and not what our fans deserve. I want to see Liverpool return to attacking heavy metal football and winning trophies."
"This is the football I know how to play and this is the identity that must be restored and preserved forever. It should not be negotiable and every player who joins this club must adapt to it. Winning a few games here and there is not what Liverpool should represent."
"Liverpool will always be a club that means a lot to me and my family. I want to see it succeed long after I'm gone."
"As I've always said, qualifying for the Champions League next season is the minimum and I will do everything I can to achieve that," Salah concluded.
Liverpool currently sit fifth in the Premier League table ahead of their final match of the season against Brentford./Express newspaper/
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