Wayne Rooney is perhaps not the man to go to if you want an unbiased perspective on Liverpool.
Having grown up an Everton fans and been brought through the ranks at Goodison Park, Rooney went on to become one of the biggest legends in Manchester United history.
Although he’s from the city itself, Rooney has admitted to actively hating Liverpool during his time as a player. He simply cannot stand the Reds.
Nevertheless, the 38-year-old is obviously a lot more thoughtful than he ever came across as on the pitch. Now a manager, Rooney also makes a decent pundit.
Commenting on what he expected of Liverpool post-Jurgen Klopp, Rooney claimed that there would be a ‘transition period’ at Anfield, possibly lasting two to three years.
With the Reds so far proving those suggestions to be false, though, the England icon has now admitted that he’s been impressed by one man in particular at Liverpool so far.
Wayne Rooney hails Arne Slot impact
After a disappointing managerial career so far, Rooney is doing an okay job with Plymouth Argyle in the Championship this season.
Nine games in and Argyle sit comfortably in 14th position in the table. Having finished 21st last season, it is an improvement so far.
In the meantime, Rooney has been appearing alongside his old Man United colleagues Gary Neville and Roy Keane on The Overlap.
And the pressure’s of his current job have clearly attuned Rooney’s senses to the difficulty of top-level football management.
READ MORE: Chris Sutton admits there’s something he got wrong about Arne Slot and Liverpool
Because, asked who had impressed him the most in the Premier League this season, the former striker admitted that it was Arne Slot and Liverpool who got his vote.
“I’d go Liverpool me,” said Rooney, much to the surprise of Neville. “Liverpool?!” queried the former Man United captain.
“Yeah, I think with the manager coming in after Klopp that was obviously big pressure and they look more solid. I think they’ve got a good solid base and the manager comes across well.”
Gary Neville praises Liverpool too
It was not just Rooney who was left openly praising Liverpool during Thursday’s episode of The Overlap.
Surprisingly, Neville hailed the longevity of Liverpool’s defence as well. You know you’re doing well when two of your biggest rival’s best ever players have nothing bad to say.
In fairness to the United icons, what could they say against Slot? The new Liverpool head coach already taught their former side a lesson in just his third game in charge at Anfield.
Obviously, there are tougher days to come for Slot and with an incredibly difficult fixture list on the horizon, you know that the likes of Rooney and Neville will not need any invitation to reverse their opinions.
For the moment, though, Arne has won over just about everyone And that is no mean feat.
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