Wayne Rooney accuses Salah of disrespecting Liverpool

Former England international Wayne Rooney has hit out at Egypt forward Mohamed Salah claiming he was spoiling his Liverpool career.

Salah was left out of Liverpool’s Champions League squad for Tuesday’s fixture against Inter Milan.

His omission came just two days after he gave an explosive interview following the 3-3 draw with Leeds, claiming he had been “thrown under the bus”, had no relationship with boss Arne Slot and that Saturday’s match with Brighton could be his final game at Anfield.

Responding to Salah’s interview, Rooney told BBC as quoted by ESPN: “Why would you come out and say that?

“Salah has been incredible for Liverpool. As a player he is quiet, he keeps himself to himself. Last year he was vocal about not being offered a new contract. He deserves to get the money he gets. But then you can’t flip it and say what he said.

“It needs to be sorted out quickly”

“It was disrespectful to his teammates, to his manager, to the fans. Time catches up with all of us. This season he hasn’t been at his best, he hasn’t been at his sharpest. Clearly, Slot has seen that and put him on the bench.

“He’s one of the main players, if not the main player at Liverpool over the past few seasons. You want to see him roll his sleeves up. To have the arrogance to say that he doesn’t have to earn his place? You need to be at your best every week to stay in the team.

“If I was one of his teammate I wouldn’t be happy at all with what he said. This is when they need him most. If anything, he has thrown Liverpool under the bus with his words.”

On what Salah needs to do at this stage, the former Manchester United striker said: “He’s either got to speak to the manager, and put something out, and try to put it right. Or leave the football club.

“It needs to be sorted out quickly.”

Rooney concluded: “He is absolutely destroying his legacy. The legacy he could have is massive. The legends that have played for Liverpool, he’s right up there. It would be sad for him to throw it all away. He has gone about it all wrong. Roll your sleeves up.”

Salah’s interview came after he had been benched for the third straight match during Liverpool’s 3-3 Premier League draw against Leeds United at Elland Road.