Wayne Rooney makes shock Mohamed Salah claim after Alexander Isak Liverpool arrival
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Wayne Rooney has claimed that Mohamed Salah will not be happy with Liverpool's decision to sign Alexander Isak.
The Swede became the Reds' record signing in the summer, but the former Everton and Manchester United striker believes the Egyptian will be left irritated by the business.
Arne Slot's side eventually sealed his signature on transfer day after the summer-long transfer saga came to an end.
Isak declared his desire to leave the Magpies earlier in the summer, which led to him being left out of their preparations for the forthcoming Premier League campaign after being banished to train on his own.
The 25-year-old's arrival marked the end of a busy period of spending from the Reds, which saw a host of new faces through the door at Anfield including Florian Wirtz.
READ MORE:Ryan Gravenberch delivers emphatic answer to Liverpool question after 11 minutesREAD MORE:Liverpool team news confirmed as Arne Slot makes Alexander Isak and Florian Wirtz decisions
However, Rooney claimed that Salah will not be happy that the attention is being taken away from him with the arrival of the new number nine.
"Even though Salah has been the best player at Liverpool for years, he won't be happy that Isak has come in and is getting the attention," he claimed.
"It's a matter of personal pride, he will want to be the best."
Rooney added that the arrival of Isak will provide a lift in performance for Salah as the 33-year-old looks to reaffirm his stance as the main man for Arne Slot's side.
He continued: "When we signed Tevez there were lots of reports saying they were concerned that we couldn't play together.
"But as soon as we signed players I used to think, 'There's no way he is coming in to take my place'.
So that naturally gives you a lift."
By the Liverpool forward's high standards, Salah has made a slightly slow start to the season.
He cropped up with the match-winning moment against Burnley after netting a stoppage-time penalty.
He showed his class on Wednesday against Atletico Madrid as he held off three defenders before slotting home to double their lead in the 3-2 win, and in the Merseyside derby he set up Ryan Gravenberch's opening goal.
Speaking prior to the encounter with Everton, the Liverpool head coach said: "For me, when you are a great player you still contribute to the team if you don't play well.
"So, so many players can contribute goals and assists when they play well but not a lot of them can contribute something to the team when they don’t play well and by this I mean goals and assists.
"So, they can always give their work-rate but this is what stands out with Mo.
"I think, and this is normal, especially when you are a winger, it is so difficult to always be creative, always be the player he was against Atletico Madrid, but if he is not that player – which is normal – then he still has goals and assists and I think that is why the fans love him so much and why he is so highly regarded and respected.
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"Because a lot, a lot, a lot of players can play good when the team plays good or when they play good themselves, but not a lot can do special things when they are not at their best and that’s what he can and what makes him so special, I think.
"But I prefer to see him like he was in the Atletico game.
So, in the Newcastle game there was hardly ball in play so it was difficult for every player to be special, but now we played so many balls to him, he was so much involved, touched the ball so many times, Florian found him so many times.
"So that was a joy to watch to see him like that, but if we don’t see him like that he is still able to score goals and that’s what makes him special."