Wayne Rooney spent most of his career on the books of Liverpool’s two closest rivals, but still has admiration for one of the Reds’ former coaches.
Liverpool take on Manchester United in one of the weekend’s marquee Premier League matches, with Arne Slot going head-to-head with Michael Carrick for the first time.
Slot can break a record against Man Utd, but based on how the season has gone so far, that may be unlikely. Fans are not keen on the Dutchman, and Rooney has also questioned his ‘aura’ when saying he would have liked to play under Jurgen Klopp.
How confident do you feel in Freddie Woodman starting against Man United?
Slot confirmed on Friday that Alisson is yet to train 😬
Wayne Rooney wanted to play under Jurgen Klopp
Klopp had nine prolific years at Anfield, winning Liverpool their first Premier League title and enjoying Champions League success in 2019.
Even during difficult seasons, the fanbase never turned on the German like they have Slot in 2025/26, perhaps because, as Rooney pointed out, the ex-coach has a different aura.
As quoted by the BBC, Rooney has admitted this week that Klopp is the only Liverpool manager he wished he had played under, though he was quick to stress not at Anfield.
He said: “Klopp was the only Liverpool manager I’ve looked at and thought ‘I’d love to play for him’ – obviously not for Liverpool but for him as a manager.
“Slot maybe hasn’t got the aura [of Klopp] which could be a good thing or a bad thing.”
Who’s Liverpool’s best forward of the Premier League era?
Daniel Sturridge vs Michael Owen
Liverpool can’t afford to repeat Manchester United mistake
Rooney’s admission is not surprising, given that Klopp was an incredibly beloved figure during his time in England.
His high-intensity football was a joy to watch, and his battles with Pep Guardiola made the Premier League a lot more entertaining.
The comparisons between Klopp and Slot have obviously been rife this season, with the latter already losing a lot of the fanbase.
But Liverpool need to be wary of falling into the same trap Man Utd have been stuck in since 2013.
Yes, Klopp is an absolute hero, but the Reds can’t expect every other manager who comes in to be just like him.
There is a danger, though, that fans get obsessed with going back to the Klopp way and hold every manager moving forward to his standards.
That is what has happened at Old Trafford since Sir Alex Ferguson has left, and Liverpool, though it’s only early days, need to avoid constantly making comparisons to their previous coach.
Receive a digest of our best Liverpool content each week direct to your mailbox
