Isak does not deserve to play ahead of Ekitike, claims Rooney

British record signing Alexander Isak has not done enough to merit a place in Liverpool’s starting lineup ahead of Hugo Ekitike, according to Wayne Rooney. 

The Sweden international, who joined the Reds from Newcastle for £125m in early September, has managed just one goal in seven outings, versus Southampton in the EFL Cup.

Sunday’s defeat to Manchester United at Anfield marked his third consecutive Premier League start without finding the net, with Liverpool losing all three of those games.

Ekitike, who came off the bench against United, has been more productive with four goals to his name since arriving from Eintracht Frankfurt, three of them in the Premier League.

"I wouldn't play Isak, he hasn't looked ready since coming from Newcastle," Rooney said on The Wayne Rooney Show.

"He hasn't trained, hasn't had a pre-season. 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 pre-season. He might've done stuff by himself, but he's paying the price for it.

"On performances, he doesn't deserve to be playing ahead of Ekitike."

Liverpool’s loss to United was their fourth consecutive defeat in all competitions, signifying their worst run since November 2014 under Brendan Rodgers.

The reigning Premier League champions had opened the season with seven straight wins, but their performances have since lacked consistency over 90 minutes.

"They've got a bit complacent," added Rooney. "For Arne Slot, you forget because he won the Premier League, but he's still quite young — 46 years of age.

"This was the first time he's 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."