Manchester United legend Wayne Rooney has urged Liverpool boss Arne Slot to drop Alexander Isak from the starting line-up following his underwhelming start to this season.
Despite winning the Premier League title last term, the Reds decided to make wholesale changes to their squad this summer. Trent Alexander-Arnold and Luis Diaz decided to leave to take a new challenge in their careers, so Slot’s side couldn’t do anything about those two situations.
However, Liverpool didn’t sign a proper replacement for Alexander-Arnold. Jeremie Frimpong has been signed but he isn’t a specialist RB and Slot has shown reluctance to deploy him in this role. On the other hand, the Reds decided not to buy anyone to replace Diaz.
Following Darwin Núñez’s underwhelming displays since joining from Benfica, Liverpool decided to cash in on him. Moreover, after Diogo Jota’s tragic passing, the Merseyside club signed Hugo Ekitike and Isak for the centre-forward position.
Liverpool have bought Isak for a British record fee but he has had a slow start thus far this season, making only one assist in the Premier League. Moreover, he was completely anonymous against Man Utd on Sunday.
Now, on The Wayne Rooney Show, the former forward stated that Isak has joined Liverpool having not had any preseason training. So, he hasn’t looked ready this season and Slot would be better off dropping the Swede from the starting line-up. Moreover, Rooney claims that Ekitike deserves to start ahead of the former Real Sociedad star.
Pundit slams Isak
Rooney said:
“I wouldn’t play Isak, he hasn’t looked ready since coming from Newcastle. He hasn’t trained, hasn’t had a preseason. 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 preseason. 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.”
Isak joined Liverpool having enjoyed a stellar time at Newcastle, scoring more than 20 goals in the last two consecutive Premier League campaigns. Moreover, he guided the Magpies to win the Carabao Cup by defeating Liverpool last term and this was their first major trophy after 56 years.
Therefore, the expectation was high when he first joined but he hasn’t looked the same player at Anfield thus far this season. So, the Merseysiders will be hoping that he will be able to return to his best as soon as possible.
