Wayne Rooney issues bold Alexander Isak verdict amid Liverpool’s struggles

Manchester United legend Wayne Rooney has made a bold statement about Liverpool's early-season woes, suggesting the Reds may need to reconsider their use of Alexander Isak.

Liverpool are enduring a nightmare run of form, having now lost four straight matches across all competitions for the first time since 2014.

Their most recent setback came in a humiliating 2-1 Premier League defeat to United on Sunday (October 19) at Anfield, where summer signing Isak was among several Liverpool players who failed to impress.

The Swedish international, who arrived from Newcastle United for a British record fee of £125m in the summer, has struggled to adapt, managing just one goal in his first seven appearances across competitions.

Meanwhile, Hugo Ekitike, Arne Slot's other big attacking arrival in the summer, has fared much better, netting five goals in his first 11 outings for the Reds, including three in the league.

And Rooney was the latest to weight in on Liverpool's attacking dilemma, suggesting that Isak is not currently ready to start over Ekitike.

📲 Follow The Sporting News on WhatsApp

What Rooney said

"I wouldn't play Isak, he hasn't looked ready since coming from Newcastle," Rooney claimed on his BBC podcast, The Wayne Rooney Show.

"He hasn't trained, hasn't had a pre-season. It's so important. While Newcastle were training, he was probably sat at home on the phone to his agent for six hours a day, trying to get a move.

"It's so difficult when you don't have a pre-season. He might've done stuff by himself, but he's paying the price for it.

"On performances, he doesn't deserve to be playing ahead of Ekitike."

The former England captain also expressed surprise at Slot’s behaviour during the defeat to United, hinting that the pressure of the Premier League may be weighing on the Reds’ boss.

"Liverpool have got a bit complacent," Rooney continued.

"For Arne Slot, you forget because he won the Premier League, but he's still quite young, just 46 years of age.

"This was the first time he's lost four in a row in his career. [Against United] he was arguing with the officials on the touchline, I haven't seen that before from him.

"I think we're starting to see things unfold which shows that there's pressure there."

Liverpool news and related links

• Liverpool handed injury scare as key defender picks up knock on international duty
• Ex-Liverpool goalkeeper gives verdict on how ‘vulnerable’ Reds can improve this season
• Liverpool boosted as Premier League rivals make Marc Guehi transfer decision