British-record signing Alexander Isak isn’t doing sufficient to justify beginning forward of Hugo Ekitike for Liverpool, says former England and Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney.
Sweden worldwide Isak, 25, joined the Reds initially of September from Newcastle for £125m, however has scored one aim – within the League Cup – in seven appearances in all competitions.
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Sunday’s was his third Premier League begin in a row with out scoring.
His fellow ahead Ekitike, who was a substitute in opposition to the Pink Devils, has scored 4 objectives for Liverpool with three of these within the league.
“I would not play Isak, he hasn’t regarded prepared since coming from Newcastle,” Rooney mentioned on .
“He hasn’t skilled, hasn’t had a pre-season. It is so essential. Whereas Newcastle had been coaching he was most likely sat at house on the telephone to his agent for six hours a day making an attempt to get a transfer.
“It is so troublesome when you do not have a pre-season. He would possibly’ve performed stuff by himself however he is paying the worth of it.
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“On performances, he would not need to be taking part in forward of Ekitike.”
Defeat by Manchester United was Liverpool’s fourth loss in a row in all competitions, the primary time they’ve endured such a run since November 2014.
Liverpool received the Premier League title final season and despite the fact that they began strongly this time period with seven successive wins in all competitions, they’ve hardly ever put collectively constantly spectacular shows throughout whole video games.
“They have a bit complacent,” added Rooney.
“For Arne Slot, you neglect as a result of he received the Premier League, however he is nonetheless fairly younger – 46 years of age and this was the primary time he is misplaced 4 in a row in his profession.
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“[Against Manchester United] he was arguing with the officers on the touchline, I have never seen that earlier than from him.
“We’re beginning to see issues unfold which reveals that there is strain there.”
What is going on on with Mohamed Salah?
Mohamed Salah has scored two Premier League objectives for Liverpool this season [AFP via Getty Images]
One other concern for Liverpool is the type of their talismanic ahead Mohamed Salah, who Rooney believes is “within the prime 5 best ever Premier League gamers”.
The Egypt worldwide was a key think about Liverpool’s title win final season, scoring 29 objectives in 38 Premier League video games.
Nonetheless, he has regarded a shadow of his regular self to date this season and struggled to make an influence in opposition to Manchester United – a facet he had scored 16 objectives in opposition to in 17 earlier appearances.
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“Salah has performed plenty of video games over the previous few years and been the principle man, carried that strain,” added Rooney.
Salah’s future at Liverpool, who he joined from Roma in 2017, had appeared unsure final yr till he
Rooney added: “There was speak of him leaving, he signed a brand new deal nevertheless it would not shock me if in the summertime he does depart the membership.
“I’ve beloved watching him, a implausible participant, however I believe it’d’ve caught up. You do not need to admit it nevertheless it does get you and subsequent factor you are gone.”
‘Anfield win big for Amorim’
The win for Manchester United was their first at Anfield since 2016.
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Ruben Amorim has endured a largely troublesome time at Manchester United to date however Sunday’s win means they’re as much as ninth, however simply two factors behind fourth-placed Liverpool.
“It is such an enormous win for the supervisor,” Rooney mentioned.
“I’ve questioned selections, I’ve questioned techniques, I’ve questioned gamers’ need over this season and final season. That win is huge. To win at Anfield isn’t simple to do.
“The boldness that offers the gamers and the supervisor, I will be the primary to say he acquired it completely spot on.
“I hope we see extra of it. Two factors off Liverpool now. I actually preferred the efficiency and we all know the gamers can do it, we now have to see this on a constant degree.”
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