Wayne Rooney makes Alexander Isak demand to Arne Slot — 'Take control'

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Liverpool FC NewsFeaturesWayne RooneyAlexander Isak made his first Liverpool start since suffering a fractured leg against Tottenham in December, but he was substituted at half-time against Paris Saint-GermainWayne Rooney has offered his opinion on Alexander Isak's involvement on Tuesday(Image: Ryan Crockett/DeFodi Images/DeFodi via Getty Images)Wayne Rooney has urged Arne Slot to take personal responsibility for determining Alexander Isak's playing time, rather than deferring to sports scientists.The England legend also hinted that Slot's future at Liverpool could depend on such calls. Nevertheless, Isak featured for just 45 minutes before being replaced by Mohamed Salah at the beginning of the second half.Whether the restricted playing time stemmed from advice given to Slot by the club's sports science team or was purely the Dutchman's own call remains unclear.

Yet Rooney was emphatic that the head coach ought to be the one making such decisions.READ MORE: Daniel Sturridge 'devastated' as Hugo Ekitike injury leaves World Cup in doubtREAD MORE: Hugo Ekitike forced to leave Anfield with injury as 'prayers' sent to stricken starSpeaking on Amazon Prime Video's post-match coverage, club icon Robbie Fowler posed the question directly, asking: "Isak played 45 minutes, is that a manager's decision or a sports science decision?"Choosing his words with care, Rooney responded: "Maybe both. I think sports science have a big say now, but Arne Slot's future at the club could be on [the line]."I think as a manager you need to take control — I'm not saying that was the case — but, 'Listen, you play as long as you can and if you can't do it, you can't — I'll take you off.'"Isak managed just 45 minutes against Paris Saint-Germain(Image: Getty Images)This follows Alan Shearer's swift condemnation of Isak's showing before he was replaced by Salah at half-time.He remarked: "He wasn't hardly involved at all, was he, Isak?

Only five touches in that half, didn't really do enough, didn't look fit."And I think Arne Slot said before the game didn't he? That he didn't see him doing too many more minutes than 45 and that's exactly what happened."Despite a valiant effort, Liverpool was ultimately knocked out of the Champions League following Tuesday's clash, with Ousmane Dembele proving to be the decisive figure with a late double.Those goals compounded the 2-0 deficit Liverpool already faced, following strikes from Desire Doue and Kvicha Kvaratskhelia in last week's first leg at the Parc des Princes.While PSG now turns its focus to a semifinal against either Real Madrid or Bayern Munich, Liverpool can channel its full concentration into its remaining six Premier League games.The Reds' next challenge is a first-ever Merseyside Derby at Hill Dickinson Stadium on Sunday before welcoming Crystal Palace to Anfield the following Saturday.Tense clashes against Manchester United, Chelsea, Aston Villa and Brentford round off the team's May schedule, as Liverpool pushes to secure European soccer for the 2026-27 campaign.Choose Liverpool.com as a 'Preferred Source' on Google News for quick access to the news you value.Wayne RooneyAlexander IsakArne SlotLiverpool FCParis Saint-Germain FC