England's record-breaking international Alexander Isak is not doing enough to justify starting in place of Hugo Ekique for Liverpool, says former England and Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney.
Sweden international Isak, 25, joined the Reds in early September from Newcastle for £125m but has scored one goal – in the League Cup – in seven appearances in all competitions.
Sunday defeat by Manchester United at Anfield It was his third consecutive Premier League start without scoring.
Fellow striker Ekitika, who came on as a substitute against the Red Devils, scored four goals for Liverpool, three of them in the league.
“I wouldn’t play Isak, he hasn’t looked ready since he arrived from Newcastle,” Rooney said in an interview. The Wayne Rooney Show.
“He didn’t train, didn’t do pre-season training. This is so important. While Newcastle were training, he was probably sitting at home on the phone to his agent for six hours a day, trying to get a move in.”
“It's so difficult when you don't have pre-season training. He may have done something himself, but he’s paying for it.”
“In terms of performance, he does not deserve to be ahead of Ekitike.”
Defeat to Manchester United was Liverpool's fourth defeat in a row in all competitions, the first time they had suffered such defeat since November 2014.
Liverpool won the Premier League title last season and although they have started this season well with seven wins in a row in all competitions, they have rarely been able to produce impressive performances throughout the game.
“They're a bit smug,” Rooney added.
“You forget about Arne Slott because he won the Premier League, but he is still quite young – 46 years old – and this was the first time he had lost four games in a row in his career.
“[Against Manchester United] he was arguing with the referees on the sideline, I've never seen anything like that from him.
“We're starting to see things unfold and it shows there is pressure here.”
