Mohamed Salah has succeeded in dividing the Liverpool fanbase after his calculated ambush on Saturday evening.
The Egyptian is adored amongst the Anfield faithful, but it has still been fascinating to see the lengths some people will go to to support their hero.
Others have not been so impressed and, more broadly, the feeling has been that Salah has disrespected Liverpool with the timing of his outburst.
Who do you think should go, Salah or Slot?
There are a number of reasons for that, and although he has predictably received unwavering support from his teammates at Egypt, that it has been so hard to find a voice within the English game to back Salah up is telling.
The latest to give his take is Manchester United legend Wayne Rooney, and while the Scouser has no love lost for Liverpool, he has been surprisingly bang on in his assessment of the situation.
Wayne Rooney highlights Mohamed Salah’s effect on the Liverpool squad
On the face of it, it would appear that the usually meticulous entourage of Salah have seriously misjudged the timing of his comments.
Speaking out when Liverpool are in such a collective rut makes the 33-year-old appear self-interested, egotistical and frankly a little bit ridiculous.
READ MORE: Mohamed Salah turned up to Liverpool training ground on Sunday as Reds’ owners debate punishment
More importantly, as they struggle for results, the Liverpool squad needs its leaders now more than ever. As Rooney told his BBC podcast on Monday morning, the effect of seeing one of them come out and speak in the manner Salah did is going to have a completely negative reaction.
“If I was one of his teammates, I wouldn’t be happy at all with what he said because this is where Liverpool need him most,” he said. “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 teammates, 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. I am sure over the next couple of years he will regret saying what he has.”
Whether Salah regrets his comments or not, the effect on his teammates in the here and now is what matters. As Hugo Ekitike said after the 3-3 draw with Leeds, Liverpool need to stick together now more than ever to turn this season around. Instead, Salah has struck out on his own.
Who is the bigger Liverpool legend, Salah or Gerrard?
Rooney urges Arne Slot to drop Salah
In a refreshingly straight-talking assessment, Rooney did not pull any punches with his further comments on Salah, urging Arne Slot to take action and drop him from the squad completely for Liverpool’s upcoming matches.
“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’,” the 40-year-old said.
“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.”
Rooney also claimed Salah is in danger of ‘destroying his legacy’ at Liverpool, and those are words the legendary winger really should listen to.
There are many supposed Liverpool fans who will seemingly support Salah over the club no matter what he says or does, regardless of the effect it has on those around him. But these are not Liverpool supporters. The club always trumps any one individual, no matter who they are, and Salah is treading very thin ice indeed.
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