Mohamed Salah, the African icon who turned Anfield into his personal playground, is now dangerously close to tearing down the monument he spent years building.

That is the stark verdict from Wayne Rooney, who believes the Egyptian forward’s recent claim of being "thrown under the bus" by Liverpool management has crossed a line, threatening not just team unity but Salah’s own standing in football history. For Kenyan fans who have watched Salah fly the continent's flag in the Premier League, the public fallout marks a bitter turn in a glittering career.

The Ultimatum: Show Authority

Rooney argues that Liverpool head coach Arne Slot faces a defining test of leadership. With a critical Champions League clash against Inter Milan looming on Tuesday, the former Manchester United striker insists there is no room for sentiment, regardless of Salah's status.

"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’," Rooney declared in his latest podcast episode, emphasizing that the manager cannot allow player power to undermine the dressing room.

The AFCON Escape Route

The solution, according to Rooney, might lie in a temporary separation. He suggested Salah should depart early for the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) to let the dust settle on Merseyside rather than lingering as a distraction.

"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 noted. The friction has already had tangible consequences on the pitch:

• The Allegation: Salah stated on Saturday that his relationship with Slot had "broken down."
• The Bench: The 33-year-old was an unused substitute in Saturday’s chaotic 3-3 draw at Leeds United.
• The Stats: Despite the drama, Salah boasts 250 goals in 420 appearances—numbers that usually guarantee immunity, but seemingly not this time.

"It needs to be sorted out quickly either way," Rooney concluded, warning that if the rift cannot be healed, the only remaining option is for Liverpool to part ways with their talisman.