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Wayne Rooney's scathing attack on Liverpool's Mohamed Salah has whipped up quite the storm. But what exactly did he say?
In short, the Manchester United legend cast doubt on Salah's commitment and implied that the club's marquee signings may have bruised the Egyptian's pride.
It comes as the Reds are smarting from their third successive loss, this time a 2-1 setback against Chelsea in the Premier League. The ex-Everton and Manchester United striker pulled no punches in his assessment of Salah after Liverpool's dismal showing against Enzo Maresca's outfit.
A stoppage-time strike from Estevao Willian condemned Arne Slot's charges to defeat, denying them the chance to return to the summit of the table.
Rooney indicated that the fresh signings of Alexander Isak, Hugo Ekitike and Florian Wirtz may have rattled Salah.
"With the players coming in, Isak, [Hugo] Ekitike, and Wirtz, the money they have spent on them, what does Salah think now? Top players have an ego, and Mo Salah has been one of the best players in the league for a long time," he said.
"I think the last week has shown that when it's gone well, you're scoring goals and you're winning games, it's great and the team will put up with that, but over the last week, I'd question his work ethic.
"I know he doesn't always get back and defend as much, but in the Chelsea game, his full-back is getting torn apart, and he is watching.
"Players like Van Dijk and Alisson, who I know wasn't playing, but the leaders in the dressing room should be telling him you need to help it. For me, that was a worry. He has looked a bit out of sorts this past week, in my view."
Rooney has previously expressed worries that Isak's high-profile transfer from Newcastle might have disrupted Salah. Earlier in the season, he hinted that the Liverpool forward could be 'unhappy' with the Swede's arrival, as it shifted the focus away from the Reds' star player.
"Even though Salah has been Liverpool's standout player for years, he won't be pleased that Isak has come in and is stealing the limelight," he remarked back in September.
"It's a question of personal pride, he'll want to be the best. When we signed Tevez, there were numerous reports suggesting they were worried we couldn't play together. But whenever we signed players, I used to think, 'There's no chance he's coming in to take my spot'. So that naturally gives you a boost."
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