A round-up of Liverpool news as Wayne Rooney discusses Mohamed Salah’s possible reaction to Alexander Isak and Michael Owen praises Ryan Gravenberch
A Premier League legend has argued Mohamed Salah may be unhappy about Alexander Isak joining Liverpool(Image: Michael Regan – UEFA, UEFA via Getty Images)
Liverpool were able to bask in the glory of their Merseyside derby triumph for most of the weekend, following a 2-1 victory over Everton on Saturday. Goals from Ryan Gravenberch and Hugo Ekitike ensured the Reds maintained their flawless start to the season and secured bragging rights until the next derby showdown.
Arne Slot’s team had to dig deep for the three points, after Idrissa Gueye clawed back a goal at Anfield and Jack Grealish tried to assist Everton in finding an equaliser. However, Liverpool managed to dodge any late drama and keep their 100 per cent record intact, even after their hard-fought midweek win against Atletico Madrid.
The Premier League champions are sitting pretty at the top of the table, despite manager Slot still fine-tuning his summer signings. Alexander Isak made his league debut for the Reds as a second-half substitute and the £125million forward will be keen to cement his place in the starting line-up soon.
Wayne Rooney has suggested that Mohamed Salah might not be pleased with the spotlight shining on Isak following his record-breaking transfer from Newcastle United. Meanwhile, ex-Reds striker Michael Owen has claimed that midfielder Ryan Gravenberch has tripled his value since working under Slot.
The Reds will be aiming to extend their winning run when they take on Southampton in the Carabao Cup on Tuesday. Here’s a round-up of Liverpool headlines.
Wayne Rooney makes Mohamed Salah claim
Rooney has argued that Salah will not be pleased that his position as Liverpool’s talisman could be under threat following Alexander Isak’s arrival at the club. The 33-year-old scored an impressive 29 league goals as Liverpool secured the Premier League title last season and has contributed six goals in as many matches this campaign.
Nevertheless, former Manchester United and Everton striker Rooney reckons Salah may object to Isak trying to establish himself as Liverpool’s new star performer. The Swedish forward found the net 27 times for Newcastle across all competitions last term, persuading the Reds to shell out a British record £125m for his services.
Wayne Rooney has argued that Mohamed Salah may not be happy about Alexander Isak signing for Liverpool(Image: Richard Martin-Roberts – CameraSport via Getty Images)
“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,” Rooney told BBC Radio 5 Live. “It’s a matter of personal pride; he will want to be the best.
“When we (Manchester United) signed [Carlos] 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.”
Shifting his focus back to Liverpool, Rooney added: “Liverpool will have a plan there for Isak. I can imagine that they will have an idea to get him in the team in two or three weeks’ time, and then it’s on him to keep his place. He will have known that he would not be playing today.”
Michael Owen declares Ryan Gravenberch worth £100m
Gravenberch had a memorable afternoon against Everton. The Dutch midfielder netted the opener with a superb strike before setting up Ekitike to put Liverpool two goals ahead before the interval.
The 23-year-old arrived from Bayern Munich in a £34m deal on deadline day in 2023. Following a campaign as a squad player in his first season, Gravenberch became crucial to Slot’s side last term, featuring in all but one match during the Reds’ run to the league title. Underlining just how much Gravenberch has thrived at Liverpool, Owen reckoned he’s now valued at roughly three times his initial fee.
Ryan Gravenberch produced a goal and assist in Liverpool’s 2-1 win over Everton(Image: Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
“I mean, Bayern Munich, they must be scratching their heads, thinking ‘Wow, why have we let him go,’ because he could be anything,” Owen said while working as a pundit, as per Liverpool.com. “If he were playing for another team now, everybody would be after him as a new number sitting midfield player, thinking £100million plus.”
Considering the last-minute nature of his switch to Liverpool two seasons ago, Gravenberch could easily have missed out on joining the Reds. However, Owen has heaped praise on how Gravenberch has stepped up at Liverpool and solved a key position at the heart of midfield.
“He is seriously talented,” Owen continued. “He can do anything. I love him in the sitting number six role. It just shows you can push him forward, and he can still have a big influence.
“I look around the world at the moment at midfield players and I think, ‘Who is better than him? Who is performing better than him?’ I don’t see many at all. I think, he is one of the finds of the last season or so.”