Mo Salah ‘won’t be happy’ with Alexander Isak at Liverpool – ‘It’s a matter of pride’

Wayne Rooney believes that Mohamed Salah won’t be happy with Alexander Isak’s British transfer record arrival at Liverpool, with his spotlight under threat

Wayne Rooney believes that Mohamed Salah will be unhappy with Alexander Isak’s arrival at Liverpool.

Salah has been the main man at Liverpool since he joined in 2017, being the club’s top scorer in every season. However, Arne Slot’s British transfer record signing of Isak for £125million and Florian Wirtz at £116m, spells the changing of the guard of the Reds’ frontline.

The 33-year-old Egyptian signed a new extension to stay at Anfield but has not been at his best so far this campaign. Despite scoring two goals in the opening four Premier League games of the season, the first was a late strike against Bournemouth with the second a penalty to beat Burnley.

Arne Slot has kept faith with Salah for the Merseyside Derby against Everton on Saturday, starting the winger again while Isak and Wirtz were both dropped to the bench.

Regardless, former Manchester United captain Rooney insists that Salah won’t be happy with the signing of two new superstars gunning to steal his limelight.

Rooney on BBC Radio 5 Live: “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. It’s a matter of personal pride, he will want to be the best.

“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.”

Rooney was a part of one of the greatest Premier League sides of all-time under Sir Alex Ferguson – winning three league titles on the bounce and the Champions League, also reaching the final the following year only to be beaten by Barcelona.

Despite his incredible quality and legacy, Rooney didn’t really emerge as United’s lead man until the departure of Cristiano Ronaldo and Carlos Tevez.

Meanwhile, Salah will have to defy the years to retain his talisman role at Anfield.

And he began the Everton clash the way he started the Atletico Madrid victory in midweek – assisting Ryan Gravenberch’s opening goal.