Wayne Rooney has delivered a brutal assessment of two Liverpool legends, claiming Mohamed Salah's legs have gone and warning that Virgil van Dijk could be heading down the same path.

The Manchester United icon didn't mince his words when discussing the decline he believes has affected both players this season. Speaking on The Wayne Rooney Show, he laid out his theory with characteristic bluntness.

"I said this since the start of the season, age gets to us all and your legs go," Rooney explained. "I think that's happened to Salah this season and Virgil van Dijk hasn't been the same this season. They are the leaders in the dressing room. It's hard for the other players to go and leave their mark or become the leaders."

The timing of Rooney's comments couldn't be more pointed. Salah is set to depart Liverpool this summer after what has undoubtedly been his most challenging campaign on Merseyside. The Egyptian has managed just seven Premier League goals this season, a stark contrast to the prolific numbers that made him a modern Anfield icon. Under Arne Slot, his place in the starting eleven has become far from guaranteed.

At 33, the numbers suggest Rooney might have a point about Salah. The forward who once seemed unstoppable has looked a shadow of his former self for significant stretches this term. Whether it's age, tactics, or simply a natural dip in form, something has clearly changed.

Van Dijk's situation is different but equally fascinating. The Dutch defender remains contracted until next summer after signing an extension just last year, yet Rooney sees similar warning signs. "I don't think he will [leave] but you've seen players when they've stayed there for too long," the former England captain observed.

Rooney's perspective comes with the authority of someone who faced this exact dilemma. He drew parallels with his own experience at Manchester United, revealing the harsh reality players must confront.

"The hardest thing for a player is to understand you may be not at the level you were," he reflected. "I did it at Manchester United when Zlatan Ibrahimovic came in and I wasn't playing. I wanted to play so I left straight away. I accepted it."

That acceptance is precisely what makes these decisions so difficult. Recognising when your powers are waning requires brutal self-honesty that many elite athletes struggle to achieve.

Salah's potential farewell has hit another snag with the forward set to miss his final Premier League encounter against Manchester United this Sunday. He was withdrawn during last weekend's match against Crystal Palace due to a hamstring problem, ruling him out of what would have been a poetic final fixture against Rooney's former club.

Arne Slot remains optimistic about Salah's involvement before the season concludes, though. "As we know for Mo, he is always working hard when he is fit and when he is injured to be back," the Liverpool manager explained in his pre-match press conference. "He is usually fitter than others, so we expect him back for the final part of the season."

The Dutch boss added some perspective about the injury's severity: "It is always a big relief that his injury is minor to play for us and the World Cup. Any time a player who deserved a send-off, it's great news."

Whether you agree with Rooney's assessment or not, his comments highlight the ruthless nature of elite football. Players who once seemed untouchable can find themselves questioning their place almost overnight. The conversation around Liverpool's ageing stars will only intensify as the club looks to rebuild under Slot.

What happens next could define both players' legacies and Liverpool's immediate future.