‘I wouldn’t play Isak’: Wayne Rooney slams Liverpool’s Swedish striker after another anonymous performance vs Manchester United

Since arriving at Anfield, the Swedish striker has played 7 matches in all competitions and has scored just once, which was against Southampton in the League Cup.

Liverpool's Alexander Isak, right, makes an attempt to score past Manchester United's goalkeeper Senne Lammens during the English Premier League soccer match between Liverpool and Manchester United in Liverpool, England, Sunday, Oct. 19, 2025. (AP Photo/Ian Hodgson)

Former Manchester United star Wayne Rooney said that Liverpool’s record breaking signing Alexander Isak should be benched in favour of Hugo Ekitike. Isak was transferred to Liverpool for a British record £125 million on transfer deadline day after a summer-long saga with Newcastle United.

But since arriving at Anfield, the Swedish striker has played 7 matches in all competitions and has scored just once, which was against Southampton in the League Cup. He hasn’t even opened his account in the 4 Premier League games he played in. Meanwhile, Ekitike has played 11 matches and has scored 5 gaols and assisted once.

“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,” Rooney said on his BBC podcast, ‘The Wayne Rooney Show.’

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On Sunday against United, Isak remained anonymous, squandering a one on one chance against keeper Senne Lammens which the Belgian saved. He was hooked off at the 72nd minute in favour of Federico Chiesa who provided the assist for Liverpool’s equalizer in the 78th minute by Cody Gakpo, cancelling out Bryan Mbuemo’s 62-second strike in the first half. It was all for naught ultimately as Harry Maguire headed in a goal in the 84th minute relegating Liverpool to their 4th defeat in all competitions.

“They’ve got a bit complacent. 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. 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,” Rooney said.