'I've met Arne Slot - he doesn't have what it takes to be Liverpool manager'

Wayne Rooney has given his thoughts on Arne Slot's position at Anfield, and the former Manchester United and Everton star believes the Liverpool boss could be in trouble this summer

Wayne Rooney thinks Arne Slot could be fired by Liverpool in the summer(Image: Getty Images)

Wayne Rooney claims Arne Slot doesn’t have the “aura” of a Liverpool boss, and believes he could be in trouble this summer.

Slot has come under some pressure for his position amid what has been a disappointing season following last year’s title triumph. Although results and performances have improved after a dismal run between September and November, the Reds are still in a fight just to qualify for the Champions League.

A top five finish looks as though it could be enough for a place at Europe’s top table, but Liverpool is lagging behind Manchester United and Chelsea in the race with 12 games to go.

Although Slot is not thought to be under pressure internally at Anfield - with the club having shown a united front through sporting director Richard Hughes and CEO Billy Hogan earlier this year - speculation has continued to follow him away from Merseyside, with a number of pundits suggesting he could be fired in the summer.

Rooney has now thrown his opinion into the mix, and having met with Slot on a few occasions this season, the former United and Everton star doesn’t feel the Dutchman has what it takes to lead the Reds.

“It’s strange isn’t it when you’re talking about Slot being on an audition to keep his job when he has obviously recently won the Premier League,” Rooney said on the latest episode of The Overlap Fan Debate, brought to you by Sky Bet.

Arne Slot has come under pressure for his job this season(Image: Chris Brunskill/Fantasista/Getty Images)

“I have met him a couple of times, but I just don’t think, for Liverpool, he has that aura – and maybe that’s because Liverpool have just come off the back of Jurgen Klopp as manager – it’s difficult for anyone to do that but I just don’t think there is that aura about him.

“I have spoken to managers, and I know they can be difficult at times, but if he doesn’t get them top five in the Premier League, he will be gone, for sure. It’s crazy to say when he has just won the Premier League.”

Jamie Carragher though sees things differently, with the Liverpool legend certain that Slot will remain in charge next season, and suggesting he will learn from a difficult campaign.

“Arne Slot would be such a better manager next season off the back of this season, in some ways,” Carragher said. “That’s what I keep thinking because I don’t think it is all his fault.

“Any manager now managing this squad, with [Mohamed] Salah not being the same player as before, [Virgil] van Dijk not quite the same player as last season as well – the squad’s not that big or balanced.

“I’m not sure there would be a manager out there getting loads more out of the squad if I am totally honest.”

Carragher added: “You have to have this feeling going into next season with a buzz, not a slump. If the new signings keep looking like your best players which in the last four to six weeks, they have. For me, I think he [Slot] will be Liverpool’s manager next season.”