Premier League legend says Swede’s lack of preseason affecting him
Wayne Rooney believes Liverpool should take Alexander Isak out of the starting lineup and restore Hugo Ekitike given the former Newcastle man’s poor run of form.
Isak switched from Tyneside to Merseyside in a British-record £125m move in the summer but has yet to score in the Premier League.
His only goal so far came in the Carabao Cup against Southampton. At Anfield against Manchester United the Swede missed a key first-half chance after he was put through by Ibrahima Konate but was denied by the foot of Senne Lammens.
“I wouldn’t play Isak, he hasn’t looked ready since coming from Newcastle,” said Rooney.
“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.”
Ekitike got off to a flying start after a £79m move from Eintracht Frankfurt, scoring in his first three games for the club. He has tailed off since however, along with the rest of the Liverpool squad.
“They’ve got a bit complacent,” Rooney said. “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 has 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. We’re starting to see things unfold which shows that there’s pressure there.”
