Former England and Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney has argued that Alexander Isak, Liverpool’s record signing, is not performing well enough to justify a starting spot over teammate Hugo Ekitike.
Isak, a 25-year-old Sweden international, joined the Reds from Newcastle in a £125 million move at the start of September. However, he has struggled to find form, scoring just one goal—in the League Cup—across seven appearances in all competitions. Sunday’s loss to Manchester United marked his third consecutive Premier League start without registering a league goal.
His attacking counterpart, Hugo Ekitike, has been more prolific, netting four goals for Liverpool, with three coming in the Premier League, despite being used as a substitute against the Red Devils.
“I wouldn’t play Isak, he hasn’t looked ready since coming from Newcastle,” Rooney said on The Wayne Rooney Show.
Rooney attributed Isak’s poor start partly to a lack of preparation, suggesting the striker missed crucial pre-season training while arranging his transfer.
“He hasn’t trained, hasn’t had a pre-season. It’s so important,” Rooney claimed. “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… On performances, he doesn’t deserve to be playing ahead of Ekitike.”
The defeat to Manchester United was Liverpool’s fourth loss in a row in all competitions—a run the club hasn’t endured since November 2014. Despite winning the Premier League title last season and starting the current campaign with seven consecutive wins, the team has struggled to maintain consistent, impressive performances.
