Wayne Rooney has expressed his astonishment at seeing Liverpool manager Arne Slot arguing with officials during his side’s 2-1 defeat to Manchester United at Anfield — behaviour the former England captain believes is a clear sign that pressure is beginning to take its toll on the Dutchman.
Slot, who guided Liverpool to the Premier League title in his first season in charge, endured a miserable afternoon as his side fell to their fourth consecutive defeat in all competitions.
It was United’s first win at Anfield in nine years, sealed by Harry Maguire’s 84th-minute header after Cody Gakpo had cancelled out Bryan Mbeumo’s early opener for the visitors.
Speaking on The Wayne Rooney Show, the Manchester United legend said he had been taken aback by the usually composed Slot losing his temper on the touchline.
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“Against Manchester United, he was arguing with the officials on the touchline — I haven’t seen that before from him,” Rooney said.
“We’re starting to see things unfold which show that there’s pressure there.”
Rooney suggested that Liverpool’s recent poor run is beginning to expose cracks in Slot’s management, just months after his remarkable debut campaign.
“They’ve got a bit complacent,” he said.
Wayne Rooney has expressed his astonishment at seeing Liverpool manager Arne Slot arguing with officials during his side’s 2-1 defeat to Manchester United at Anfield — behaviour the former England captain believes is a clear sign that pressure is beginning to take its toll on the Dutchman
|PA/BBC
“For Arne Slot, you forget because he won the Premier League, but he’s still quite young — 47 years of age — and this was the first time he’s lost four in a row in his career.”
The defeat has intensified scrutiny on Liverpool’s record signing Alexander Isak, who continues to struggle since his £125million summer move from Newcastle United.
The Swedish striker made his third consecutive league start on Sunday but once again failed to score, extending his wait for a Premier League goal in a Liverpool shirt.
Isak’s arrival was meant to strengthen the champions’ attack, but he has looked short of sharpness and confidence.
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Arne Slot was left frustrated by Liverpool's defeat to Manchester United on Sunday
|GETTY
Rooney believes Slot should take the bold step of dropping the 25-year-old until he is fully fit.
“I wouldn’t play Isak — he hasn’t looked ready since coming from Newcastle,” Rooney said.
“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 have done some training by himself, but he’s paying the price for it.
“On performances, he doesn’t deserve to be playing ahead of Hugo Ekitike.”
Ekitike, who joined from Eintracht Frankfurt for £79million, enjoyed a strong start to life at Anfield with three goals and an assist in his first five league appearances before being dropped in favour of Isak.
Rooney argued that the Frenchman’s early form makes him the more deserving choice as Slot looks to steady the team.
Alexander Isak struggled during Liverpool's shock defeat to Manchester United at Anfield
|REUTERS
Liverpool’s struggles come despite a £450m summer outlay that also brought in Florian Wirtz, Milos Kerkez and Jeremie Frimpong. While the squad remains packed with talent, they have appeared disjointed and inconsistent, losing three of their opening nine league fixtures.
The champions are still within reach of the top of the table, sitting third and just four points behind leaders Arsenal.
But Rooney believes Slot must quickly rediscover the calm authority that defined his first season if Liverpool are to mount another title challenge.
Harry Maguire with a MASSIVE header to send the away end wild! 😱 pic.twitter.com/moUtr2aDsj
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) October 19, 2025
“He’s under pressure now, no doubt,” Rooney concluded.
“The team looks flat, and you can see from his behaviour on the touchline that the stress is showing.
“He’s got a great squad, but right now he needs to find a way to bring that composure back — both for himself and for his players.”