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Wayne Rooney has said he can relate with Mohamed Salah’s predicament at Liverpool, and desire to leave in January, but claimed making those feelings known publicly via Saturday’s bombshell interview was a mistake.
Salah has dominated the media landscape in the wake of Liverpool’s 3-3 draw against Leeds United, with the Egyptian stating in an incredible interview that he has been “thrown under the bus” by the club. Salah also implied he could leave the club and added that someone “doesn’t want” him at Liverpool.
Rooney, one of the few players to have netted more Premier League goals than Salah’s 190, has been critical of the Reds’ no.11 on various occasions this season.
The ex-Manchester United and Everton striker said on the latest episode of his self-named podcast that Salah had been “disrespectful” towards his teammates and claimed he is “destroying his legacy at Liverpool”.
But Rooney added he sympathizes with the frustration of not playing every week.
“I had it with [Jose] Mourinho. I started the season with Zlatan [Ibrahimovic] up front but I knew Jose only played with one up and whenever I had a bad game that I wasn't going to play,” said the former England skipper.
“I went in and had an honest conversation with Jose and asked if I could leave in January, because I knew I wasn't going to play.
“He said no and that he needed me, more so for the Europa League, but that I could leave in the summer. I stood up, shook his hand and didn't complain about it again.
“That was an honest conversation and two men shaking hands and agreeing. And I think that is the right thing to do rather than what Mo Salah has done.”
Rooney also feels Salah should apologize to his Liverpool teammates following Saturday’s brazen interview.
“I remember when I put a transfer request in at Man United [in 2010]. I didn't do an interview but I put out a statement when I was injured and the team was playing a Champions League game.
“The next day, I apologized to my teammates because I knew I was wrong. I was reacting to a press conference from Sir Alex [Ferguson] but I knew quickly I had let my teammates down and we moved forward. As players, you can move forward but you have to do it quickly because if not, they won't accept you either.”
Giving his verdict on Arne Slot’s handling of the situation, Rooney added: “I have played under three Dutch managers - [Louis] Van Gaal, [Ronald] Koeman and [Phillip] Cocu - and the one thing they are is honest.
“If you're not playing well, they will tell you. So maybe he just doesn't like the words he has heard from the manager.
“I have met Arne Slot a few times and I think he would be the same as other Dutch managers.”
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