Wayne Rooney has claimed that Mohamed Salah is “destroying his legacy at Liverpool” after the Egyptian made controversial comments during his explosive post-match rant on Saturday.
Speaking after the 3-3 draw with Leeds United at Elland Road, Salah – who was an unused substitute during the draw – claimed that he had beeen thrown “under the bus” by Liverpool and made him a scapegoat.
"I said many times before that I had a good relationship with the manager, and all of a sudden we don't have any relationship,” explained the Liverpool winger.
"It seems like the club has thrown me under the bus. That is how I am feeling. I think it is very clear that someone wanted me to get all of the blame.”
The comments have raised plenty of speculation over Salah’s future, but Rooney suggested that he is ruining his legacy at the club despite everything he has achieved at Anfield.
"He is absolutely destroying his legacy at Liverpool," the former Manchester United striker said on The Wayne Rooney Show.
"It would be sad for him to throw it all away. He's gone about it all wrong. Time catches up with all of us, and this season he hasn't looked as his best, at his sharpest.
"If I was one of his team-mates, I wouldn't be happy at all with what he said because this is where Liverpool need him most. If anything, he has thrown Liverpool under the bus with his words.
"He's been absolutely incredible for Liverpool, but this was disrespectful to his team-mates, manager and fans. I would imagine he will be very quiet around the training ground and that will bring a negative energy in itself to the new players Arne has bedded in.”
Rooney also said that he believed Liverpool manager Arne Slot has little choice but to not involve Salah over Liverpool’s next couple of games, with the Reds facing Inter Milan in the Champions League on Tuesday before a home game against Brighton at the weekend.
"Arne Slot has to show his authority and pull him in and say 'you are not travelling with the team, what you said is not acceptable'," explained Rooney.
"Take yourself off to Afcon and let everything calm down. If I was him there would be no way he would be in the team.
"It needs to be sorted out quickly either way," he added. "I am sure over the next couple of years he will regret saying what he has."
