Source: Yahoo Sports
Isak doesn’t deserve start over Ekitike – RooneyImage source,AFP via Getty ImagesImage caption,Alexander Isak is waiting for his first Premier League goal for LiverpoolPublished20 October 2025British-record signing Alexander Isak is not doing enough to justify starting ahead of Hugo Ekitike for Liverpool, says former England and Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney.Sweden international Isak, 25, joined the Reds at the start of September from Newcastle for £125m, but has scored one goal – in the League Cup – in seven appearances in all competitions.Sunday’sdefeat by Manchester United at Anfieldwas his third Premier League start in a row without scoring.His fellow forward Ekitike, who was a substitute against the Red Devils, has scored four goals for Liverpool with three of those in the league.”I wouldn’t play Isak, he hasn’t looked ready since coming from Newcastle,” Rooney said onThe 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 of it.”On performances, he doesn’t deserve to be playing ahead of Ekitike.”Defeat by Manchester United was Liverpool’s fourth loss in a row in all competitions, the first time they have endured such a run since November 2014.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,” added Rooney.”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.”‘Liverpool blip now becomes something deeper’Published19 OctoberWhat’s going on with Mohamed Salah?Image source,AFP via Getty ImagesImage caption,Mohamed Salah has scored two Premier League goals for Liverpool this seasonAnother concern for Liverpool is the form of their talismanic forward Mohamed Salah, who Rooney believes is “in the top five greatest ever Premier League players”.The Egypt international was a key factor in Liverpool’s title win last season, scoring 29 goals in 38 Premier League games.However, he has looked a shadow of his usual self so far this season and struggled to make an impact against Manchester United – a side he had scored 16 goals against in 17 previous appearances.”Salah has played a lot of games over the last few years and been the main man, carried that pressure,” added Rooney.Salah’s future at Liverpool, who he joined from Roma in 2017, had appeared uncertain last year …
Published: 2025-10-20T05:34:35
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