‘I won the league with Liverpool’: Arne Slot responds to Wayne Rooney jibe

Liverpool manager Arne Slot fired back at Wayne Rooney's criticism, cheekily reminding the Manchester United legend of his Premier League triumph after Rooney questioned Slot's "aura" and predicted his imminent sacking.

Rooney, speaking on The Overlap, had lambasted Slot despite Liverpool's title win in his debut 2024/25 season. With the Reds now sixth in the table—three points behind fourth-placed Manchester United and 15 adrift of Arsenal—Rooney claimed Slot lacks the commanding presence to manage Liverpool long-term, especially succeeding Jürgen Klopp. "It’s strange isn’t it when you’re talking about Slot being on an audition to keep his job when he has obviously recently won the Premier League," Rooney mused, before adding, "I just don’t think, for Liverpool, he has that aura."[2][3]

Rooney pinned Liverpool's struggles on key players' dips: Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk "haven’t been their best," Andy Robertson's limited games, Trent Alexander-Arnold's absence, Luis Díaz's departure, and Diogo Jota's issues. Despite praising Salah as one of the Premier League's greatest and van Dijk as this generation's top centre-back, Rooney warned, "If he doesn’t get them top five... he will be gone, for sure."[1][2][3]

In response, Slot dismissed the jibe with humour during a press conference ahead of Liverpool's crunch match. "I won the league with Liverpool," he quipped, highlighting his trophy as proof of his credentials. Slot acknowledged the tough act of following Klopp but defended his authority, urging focus on upcoming games rather than pundit speculation. He praised his squad's resilience amid injuries and exits, vowing a top-four push.

The exchange underscores intensifying pressure on Slot amid Liverpool's title defence woes, with sack rumours swirling. Rooney's United-Everton roots add spice, as fans debate whether Slot's pragmatic style fits Anfield's intensity.[1][4]

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