Rooney slams Isak’s form, backs Ekitike for Liverpool starting role

Former England and Manchester United striker, Wayne Rooney has questioned Alexander Isak’s place in Liverpool’s starting lineup, saying the striker has not done enough to start ahead of Hugo Ekitike.

Isak, who joined Liverpool from Newcastle in September for £125 million, has scored only once in seven games.

Meanwhile, Ekitike has four goals this season, three of them in the Premier League.

Rooney, speaking on The Wayne Rooney Show, said that Isak’s lack of pre-season training is affecting his form and fitness.

Liverpool’s 2-1 defeat to Manchester United marked their fourth consecutive loss, the club’s worst run since 2014.

Rooney also suggested manager Arne Slot is under pressure, saying the team looks “complacent” after last season’s title win.

“I wouldn’t play Isak, he hasn’t looked ready since coming from Newcastle.

“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 of it.

“On performances, he doesn’t deserve to be playing ahead of Ekitike,” Rooney said.

Liverpool won the Premier League title last season, and even though they started strongly this term with seven successive wins in all competitions, they have rarely put together consistently impressive displays across entire games.

“They’ve got a bit complacent. For Arne Slot, you forget because he won the Premier League, but he’s still quite young – 46 years of age, and this was the first time he’s lost four in a row in his career.

“[Against Manchester United] he was arguing with the officials on the touchline, I haven’t seen that before from him.

“We’re starting to see things unfold, which shows that there’s pressure there,” he said.

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