A storm is brewing at Anfield, and this one goes far beyond form, fitness or tactics. Mohamed Salah — Liverpool’s modern icon and the club’s greatest goalscorer of the Premier League era — detonated an extraordinary outburst following the 3–3 collapse at Leeds, claiming he had been “thrown under the bus” and no longer had any relationship with manager Arne Slot.
Those remarks have reverberated across the football world, and few reacted more strongly than Wayne Rooney. Speaking on his BBC podcast, the former Manchester United captain said Salah was “destroying his Liverpool legacy” and acting out of “arrogance”, urging Slot to take decisive action and leave the winger out of Liverpool’s squads for their Champions League trip to Inter Milan and this weekend’s clash with Brighton.
The incident marks the lowest point in Salah’s time at Liverpool, arriving just months after he signed a new £400,000-per-week contract and in a season where his form has dipped sharply. With Liverpool sliding to ninth after three successive draws and internal tensions rising, the question now is whether the team can carry Salah — or whether Slot must move forward without him.
Rooney blasts Salah: “Arrogance… disrespectful to team-mates, manager and fans”
Rooney did not hold back. In his view, Slot must assert control immediately.
“Arne Slot has to show his authority and say: *you are not travelling with the team.* What Salah said is not acceptable. If I was him there would be no way he would be in the team.” — Wayne Rooney
He went further, insisting that Salah’s suggestion that he no longer needed to “earn his place” reflected “arrogance” and a lack of accountability.
“He has thrown Liverpool under the bus with his words. He’s been incredible for Liverpool, but this was disrespectful to his team-mates, manager and fans.” — Rooney
Rooney also predicted that Salah may soon regret his comments:
“I’m sure over the next couple of years he will regret saying what he has.” — Rooney
How did it reach this point? Salah benched, minutes cut — and tensions spike
Salah sought out reporters in the mixed zone at Elland Road, an unusual move that signalled frustration spilling over. He has played just 45 minutes across Liverpool’s last three matches against West Ham, Sunderland and Leeds, and was an unused substitute at Elland Road.
His form has dropped significantly this season despite 5 goals and 3 assists in 19 appearances. While Salah insists he is still performing at a high level, the data and eye test tell a different story: fewer take-ons, slower explosiveness, reduced chance creation.
His warning that Saturday’s Brighton match “could be my goodbye” stunned even senior figures around the squad.
Mohamed Salah — 2025/26 Season Stats
| Stat (2025/26) | Mohamed Salah |
|---|---|
| Games Played | 19 |
| Minutes Played | 1524 |
| Goals | 5 |
| Assists | 3 |
source: Transfermarkt data — 8 December 2025
The numbers underline the dip: Salah is scoring at less than half his usual rate, a decline reflected in Liverpool’s attacking rhythm.
Analysis: A legacy at risk — and a squad watching closely
Having covered Liverpool across multiple eras, spats between stars and managers rarely end quietly. The concern here extends beyond Salah’s form: it’s the timing. Slot is trying to establish authority in his second season after replacing Jurgen Klopp, a figure whose influence shaped the club’s culture for nearly a decade.
It’s worth questioning how sustainable that approach is when a senior player publicly challenges the manager’s authority. A divided dressing room is the last thing Liverpool need during a dip in form.
In our view, Salah’s biggest miscalculation is underestimating the impact of his words on teammates. Younger players — many of whom Slot is bedding into the squad — will naturally look to senior figures. Any hint of dissent can quickly unravel confidence and cohesion.
Slot now faces a defining managerial moment. Backing down could damage his credibility; standing firm risks alienating a club legend. But history suggests that modern football leans towards the manager when a player crosses certain lines.
Key Insights
- Rooney says Salah is “destroying” his Liverpool legacy with his outburst.
- Salah claims he has been “thrown under the bus” after three games benched.
- Rooney urges Slot to drop Salah for Inter Milan and Brighton.
- Salah has played just 45 minutes across Liverpool’s last three fixtures.
- The Egyptian has 5 goals and 3 assists in 19 matches this season.
- Slot must manage a delicate situation amid Liverpool’s poor form.
What’s Next?
Liverpool travel to the San Siro to face Inter Milan in a crucial Champions League fixture. Slot’s squad decision regarding Salah will draw global attention. Brighton then visit Anfield on Saturday — a match Salah himself hinted may be his “goodbye”.
👉 Liverpool fans — should Slot drop Salah after this outburst, or try to repair the relationship?
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