Rooney Says Slot Would’ve Been Slaughtered If He Dared Emulate Amorim
2 octobre 2025
Matchday controversy in Istanbul
Wayne Rooney sparked a heated debate after criticizing Liverpool manager Arne Slot’s decisions in their 1-0 defeat to Galatasaray in Istanbul, describing the lineup as risky and ill-judged.
He argued that if Ruben Amorim had made similar calls at Manchester United, he would have been slaughtered by the media and the fans, not celebrated for boldness.
Slot’s plan featured an unconventional setup, including deploying a midfielder as a right-back and leaving Mohamed Salah on the bench while the rest of the attack tried to conjure a miracle in a tough away night.
The early penalty came from a misguided challenge inside the box, converted by Baris Yilmaz, with Victor Osimhen sealing the result for Galatasaray. Liverpool were unable to respond, marking a second straight loss across all competitions after a surprise defeat to Crystal Palace in the Premier League.
Rooney, speaking on his show, argued that Slot enjoys protection from criticism thanks to last season’s league title, implying that some bold decisions are tolerated when trophies are in the cabinet.
“When you win the title as Slot did with Liverpool last season, some decisions get overlooked,” Rooney said, adding that even strong performances can be cushioned by prior success.
Rooney then contrasted Slot’s position with Ruben Amorim’s at United, suggesting that Amorim would face far harsher scrutiny for a similar line of choices.
He noted that Salah remained on the bench for much of the game, a decision that sparked questions about the coach’s philosophy in a high-stakes clash against a dangerous Galatasaray side.
Commentators and former players joined the debate, with Alan Shearer highlighting the imbalance between the club’s substantial recruitment and the tactical choices on display. He pointed out the risk of overhauling a squad that carries significant expectations and investment.
In the broader talk, Slot’s habit of matching certain players to unconventional roles was dissected, with critics arguing that some positions demand natural specialists while supporters argued that experimentation can yield hidden benefits.
Rooney’s critique wrapped the night in a broader reflection on pressure, reward, and the fine line between audacious coaching and exposed misjudgment.
Two quick notes: the first is that a show can be as dramatic as a match, and the second is that in football as in comedy, timing is everything—just ask Slot about his timing in this lineup.
Punchline 1: If this was a reality show, Slot’s lineup would get voted off the island faster than a bad halftime pep talk.
Punchline 2: Salah benched? That’s not a strategic reserve, that’s a bench press for destiny—literally pushing fate onto the waitlist of fate.
