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Rooney questions Slot’s tactical calls as Amorim comparison emerges

Liverpool’s Champions League campaign under Arne Slot suffered a significant setback with a flat performance in Istanbul, where a 1-0 defeat to Galatasaray exposed vulnerabilities that continue to concern supporters. The decisive moment came in the 16th minute when Victor Osimhen converted from the spot, and despite ample time to respond, the Reds looked directionless and out of ideas.

Rooney raises concerns over tactical switches

Former Manchester United and Everton striker Wayne Rooney was among those unimpressed by Slot’s approach on the night. Speaking on his own show, Rooney suggested that the Dutchman’s tactical changes — which saw Jeremie Frimpong deployed on the right wing and Dominik Szoboszlai at right-back — played a significant role in Liverpool’s disjointed display.

Rooney argued that had Ruben Amorim, now in charge of Manchester United, made similar alterations, the reaction from the media and supporters would have been far harsher.

“I thought they were really poor,” Rooney said. “It looked like Liverpool still had time left in the game, but the changes left them exposed. If Amorim had done the same, he would have been slaughtered.”

Slot under pressure after back-to-back defeats

The Galatasaray defeat came just days after a damaging loss to Crystal Palace in the Premier League, and the consecutive setbacks have cast doubt over Liverpool’s early-season momentum. What was billed as a chance to reset quickly instead exposed the same structural issues: wasteful possession, defensive lapses, and a lack of creativity in the final third.

Slot, who guided the club to a league title last season, remains under close scrutiny. While his achievements provide credit in the bank, Rooney believes that some of his recent decisions warrant more criticism than they are currently receiving. The Merseyside derby against Everton looms large, with Slot expected to make difficult calls on both personnel and tactical shape.

Amorim comparison highlights media perception

Rooney’s comparison between Slot and Amorim cuts to the heart of a wider debate about perception and expectation. Amorim, still settling into his role at Old Trafford, has been subjected to intense scrutiny for far less radical tactical tweaks. For Slot, however, the focus appears more forgiving — perhaps due to his recent success or Liverpool’s ability to ride out poor performances in previous campaigns.

Szoboszlai’s switch to right-back in particular has divided opinion. The Hungarian has experience playing in advanced right-sided roles and has occasionally been tasked with filling in deeper positions. To some, Slot’s decision was logical in the context of injuries and squad balance. Rooney, however, felt the move undermined Liverpool’s cohesion and left the backline vulnerable.

Frimpong’s redeployment to a forward role, on the other hand, raised bigger questions. Unlike Szoboszlai, the full-back has little track record in advanced attacking roles for Liverpool, and the experiment appeared to backfire. In this regard, Rooney’s criticism has more substance, as the Dutchman looked out of sync in a system that demanded instant chemistry.

What comes next for Slot and Liverpool

Liverpool’s immediate challenge is to rediscover rhythm before their clash with Chelsea, a side battling their own issues with injuries and suspensions. Slot faces a delicate balancing act: how to re-energise a squad that has looked lethargic, while also absorbing the scrutiny that inevitably follows a club of Liverpool’s stature.

For Rooney, the bigger picture remains clear — decisions like those made in Istanbul cannot go unchallenged simply because of past success. For Amorim, the comparison may feel unfair, but it underlines the gulf in expectations between Manchester United and Liverpool at this stage of the season.