Wayne Rooney picks Liverpool star in his ‘dream’ side | OneFootball

Rooney’s Five-a-Side Vision Shines Spotlight on Liverpool Greatness

Football nostalgia and contemporary admiration often collide when Wayne Rooney speaks, and this week brought another reminder of how even fierce old rivalries soften with time. Once a tormentor of Liverpool during his Manchester United and Everton days, Rooney has again shown genuine appreciation for the red half of Merseyside, particularly when it comes to Mohamed Salah.

Rooney has never shied from strong opinions. He recently suggested Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk were the duo “affecting” Liverpool during a difficult spell, and he has been one of the more vocal observers of Arne Slot’s bedding-in period at Anfield. Yet, when challenged to assemble his dream five-a-side team made up of current Premier League talent, Rooney turned back to Liverpool’s talisman without hesitation.

Rooney Chooses Salah for His Dream Team

Speaking on the Wayne Rooney Show, the 40-year-old laid out his vision for a small-sided side packed with attacking flair. It was no shock that the conversation quickly circled toward Liverpool’s Egyptian icon.

Rooney explained: “Phil Foden definitely. Okay. Yeah, because Phil Foden in tight areas, brilliant. Probably Cole Palmer as well in there, Saka.

“I’m not having a keeper. No defenders. I’ll put Caicedo in there. He’d be the defensive one, but he can attack as well. Mo Salah. So, yeah, that would be my five players.”

Photo: IMAGO

He could have opted for a more balanced approach, yet Rooney leaned towards players who dazzle in confined spaces and unlock matches through ingenuity. It reflects modern football’s obsession with press-resistant creators and chaos-bringing attackers, and in this environment Salah remains near peerless.

Mohamed Salah’s Enduring Brilliance at Liverpool

Arriving at Liverpool in 2017 and rebuilding his Premier League legacy after a challenging spell at Chelsea, Mohamed Salah has rewritten record books in red. He helped fire Liverpool to two Premier League titles, countless iconic European nights and a golden era many supporters feared they would never witness again. Slot’s triumphant opening season in 2024-25 added another chapter, and Salah continues to shape defining moments even as younger stars orbit around him.

There is debate about the long-term evolution of Liverpool’s attack, yet one truth remains: few forwards in football history combine relentless output with such consistency and longevity. Even in spells without his usual fireworks, the Egyptian’s presence demands attention and alters defensive structures. That is why his stock stays high among elite peers like Rooney.

Hall of Fame Future Looks Certain

Rooney, himself on the 2025 Hall of Fame shortlist, understands the gravity of legacy. With Eden Hazard recently included on the ballot, anticipation now grows around Salah’s eventual induction. When his Liverpool chapter concludes, his entry will feel as inevitable as a trademark left-footed finish in front of the Kop.

Fans are right to savour every remaining chapter. Whether in five-a-side fantasies or Premier League eras, Mohamed Salah remains one of Liverpool’s greatest. Respect from former adversaries only underscores his place among the elite.