Wayne Rooney has said record signing Alexander Isak ‘doesn’t deserve to be playing’ for Liverpool ahead of Hugo Ekitike.
Isak has endured a modest start to his time at Liverpool after joining from Newcastle United for a £125m British record fee in the summer.
The Swedish striker has scored just once in seven appearances across all competitions and is yet to open his Premier League account.
Isak missed a good chance during Liverpool’s 2-1 defeat to Manchester United on Sunday and Rooney believes the 26-year-old has not earned an automatic starting role.
Alexander Isak against Man Utd:
➡️ 19 touches
🥾 2 shots attempted
❌ 1 big chance missed
🤝 11 passes
😬 1 aerial duel won pic.twitter.com/kdVYwEtJwm— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) October 19, 2025
He said fellow signing Hugo Ekitike, who has five goals this season, should play ahead of Isak until he rediscovers his form.
“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 of it.
“On performances, he doesn’t deserve to be playing ahead of Ekitike.”
Read – Five things we learned from the Premier League weekend
See more – Premier League Awards: Maguire’s moment, Ange axed
