Wayne Rooney has shared a blunt assessment of Mohamed Salah’s current situation, suggesting the Liverpool star may be preparing to leave after recognizing a decline in his performance levels.

Speaking on The Wayne Rooney Show, the former Manchester United striker reflected on how difficult it is for players to accept when they are no longer at their peak. Rooney drew parallels with his own career, recalling his 2017 departure from United after falling down the pecking order following the arrival of Zlatan Ibrahimović.

“The hardest thing for a player is to understand you may not be at the level you were,” Rooney said. “I went through that at Manchester United. I wasn’t playing, and I wanted to play, so I left straight away. I accepted it.”

Salah’s Situation at Liverpool

Rooney believes a similar realization may be influencing Salah, who is reportedly set to leave Liverpool FC at the end of the season after a highly successful nine-year spell at Anfield.

Now 33, Salah has been instrumental in Liverpool’s modern success, helping the club secure major honors including the Premier League, UEFA Champions League, FIFA Club World Cup, UEFA Super Cup, FA Cup, and EFL Cups. However, his output this season has dipped compared to his usual high standards.

For the first time since joining Liverpool, Salah is expected to feature in fewer than 30 league matches in a campaign and is at risk of finishing a season without reaching double figures in Premier League goals.

Rooney added: “Age gets to us all and your legs go. I think that’s happened to Salah this season.”

Leadership Concerns and Van Dijk

Rooney also pointed to a broader issue within Liverpool’s squad, highlighting a perceived decline in influence from senior figures like Virgil van Dijk.

“They are the leaders in the dressing room,” Rooney said. “It’s hard for other players to step up and leave their mark when those leaders are not at their best.”

While Rooney does not expect Van Dijk to leave, he warned that staying too long at a club can sometimes impact a player’s legacy.

Klopp’s Influence Still Felt

Rooney also praised former Liverpool manager Jürgen Klopp, under whom both Salah and Van Dijk enjoyed their most successful years.

“Klopp is the only Liverpool manager I’ve looked at and would’ve loved to play for him — not for Liverpool, obviously,” Rooney joked.

He also compared Klopp to current manager Arne Slot, suggesting the latter lacks the same presence and connection with fans.

“What Klopp brought — even something as simple as walking into a restaurant with a beer — that’s what the people of Liverpool loved,” Rooney said.