When Wayne Rooney speaks, the football world listens. But this time, his latest take on Mohamed Salah’s Liverpool future has fans gasping in disbelief — and others quietly wondering if he might be right.
On his BBC podcast, the Manchester United legend made a bold claim that could shake Anfield to its core: it “wouldn’t surprise” him if Salah left Liverpool as soon as the January transfer window.
That’s right — Rooney believes the Egyptian King’s glorious chapter at Liverpool could be nearing its end.
“It wouldn’t surprise me if in January, or maybe next summer, if he does leave the club,” Rooney said. “I’ve loved watching him — he’s such a fantastic player — but I think it’s probably just caught up, cause it does. Sometimes you don’t want to admit it but the next thing you know, you’re gone.”
Those words sent shockwaves through Merseyside. Could one of Liverpool’s greatest ever players really be on the verge of an early goodbye?
A SHOCKING CLAIM — OR A SIGN OF WHAT’S COMING?
Let’s be real — Rooney’s comments cut deep. For nearly a decade, Mo Salah has been the face of Liverpool Football Club, the player who turned fear into respect and gave fans some of their most unforgettable nights. From that unforgettable solo run against Arsenal to the Champions League final goals, Salah hasn’t just played for Liverpool — he’s carried them.
But Rooney’s comments come at a time when Salah’s numbers have dipped slightly. The Egyptian star has 3 goals and 3 assists in 11 games this season — still respectable, but below the superhuman levels fans have grown used to.
And for someone who’s built his career on setting impossibly high standards, a small dip can quickly become headline fuel. That’s exactly what Rooney seems to be hinting at — that Salah’s body, after years of relentless competition, may finally be showing the wear and tear of time.
“I just think Salah has played a lot of games over the last few years,” Rooney continued. “He’s been the main man, carried that pressure. And you’re probably in the top five great Premier League players, in my opinion. I think it looked like it maybe caught up a little bit with him.”
Strong words from a man who’s been there — who knows exactly how it feels to lose that extra yard, that spark that once made the difference.
IS IT REALLY TIME FOR SALAH TO GO?
Let’s not forget — Salah is 33 years old, but he’s never been the kind of player who relies solely on speed or physical dominance. His game has evolved — smarter movement, better positioning, and a finishing touch that remains world-class.
Yes, his form may have dipped. But calling time on Salah now would be premature — maybe even disrespectful to what he continues to bring.
In fact, you could argue that Rooney’s comments are a knee-jerk reaction — an emotional take born out of seeing a living legend face the first signs of decline. Every great player faces that phase: Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi, and yes, even Rooney himself. But for Salah, this doesn’t feel like the end — it feels like a transition.
He may not score 30 goals this season, but his influence, leadership, and consistency are still crucial for Arne Slot’s new-look Liverpool.
A DECISION LOOMING FOR ARNE SLOT
Still, there’s a big question hanging over Anfield: should Mo Salah start every game, even when he’s not at his best?
Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher recently weighed in, suggesting Salah might need to be rested — or even benched — for upcoming fixtures.
Carragher’s comments came after Salah was left out for the defeat to Galatasaray, sparking speculation that Arne Slot could be ready to make a major call.
Now, with a crucial Champions League clash against Eintracht Frankfurt and a Premier League matchup against Brentford on the horizon, all eyes are on Slot’s team sheet.
Will Salah return to the starting eleven? Or could the unthinkable happen — a tactical benching of Liverpool’s most iconic star?
If Slot does choose to rest Salah, it may not just be tactical. It could be symbolic — a quiet acknowledgment that Liverpool are preparing for life beyond their talisman.
THE REALITY BEHIND THE HEADLINES
Let’s face it — speculation around Salah’s future isn’t new. Every summer, the rumor mill churns with talk of Saudi Arabian clubs offering massive money for his signature. Liverpool have resisted so far, but everyone knows there’s a point when even legends move on.
If Rooney’s prediction proves true, and Salah does leave in January or next summer, it wouldn’t just mark the end of an era — it would mark the start of one of the biggest rebuilds in modern Liverpool history.
Because replacing Mo Salah isn’t just about goals. It’s about aura. It’s about the energy he brings to Anfield, the fear he strikes into defenders, and the belief he gives his teammates.
Liverpool fans know that when Salah walks onto the pitch, anything feels possible. That’s not something you can buy. That’s legacy.
ROONEY’S WORDS: A WARNING OR A WAKE-UP CALL?
Maybe Wayne Rooney wasn’t trying to start a firestorm. Maybe he was just speaking from experience — a warning from one legend to another that football waits for no one.
But for Liverpool fans, it’s a reminder of how fragile greatness can be. One day you’re unstoppable; the next, the whispers of decline begin.
Still, if history tells us anything, it’s this: Mo Salah thrives on doubt. Every time critics have written him off, he’s come back stronger, faster, and more ruthless.
So maybe Rooney’s comments are exactly what Salah needs — the spark that reignites the fire. The challenge that pushes him to silence everyone once again.
And if there’s one player capable of doing that, it’s the Egyptian King himself.
FINAL THOUGHT: DON’T COUNT HIM OUT YET
Wayne Rooney’s prediction may have grabbed the headlines, but Liverpool fans know the truth — Mo Salah isn’t done yet. He’s still one of the most feared attackers in the world, still one of the sharpest finishers the Premier League has ever seen.
Maybe he’s not at his absolute peak anymore — but don’t mistake evolution for decline. Great players adapt. Legends endure.
And if you think Mo Salah’s story at Liverpool is over… well, you might just be in for one more unforgettable chapter.
