Former England and Manchester United F.C. striker Wayne Rooney has suggested that Arne Slot could be dismissed as manager of Liverpool F.C. if the club fails to secure a top-five finish in the Premier League this season.

The reigning league champions are currently sixth on the table with 42 points, two behind fifth-placed Chelsea F.C.. After an impressive start to their title defence, the Merseyside side have struggled for consistency and now face stiff competition in the race for UEFA Champions League qualification, with both Chelsea and Manchester United applying pressure.

Rooney believes Slot’s position could come under serious threat if results do not improve quickly. He questioned whether the Dutch tactician possesses the commanding presence required to manage a club of Liverpool’s stature.

“It’s strange when you’re talking about Slot being on an audition to keep his job after recently winning the Premier League,” Rooney said. “I’ve met him a couple of times, but I just don’t feel he has that aura for Liverpool. Maybe that’s because the club has just come off the back of Jurgen Klopp — it’s difficult for anyone to follow him — but I just don’t see that aura.”

Responding to the remarks, Slot, 47, acknowledged that comparisons with former manager Jürgen Klopp are inevitable but insisted that success ultimately defines a manager’s reputation.

“We are all different. The only thing Jurgen and I have in common is that we both won the league — and that’s not too bad,” Slot said. “The more a manager wins, the more aura he has. If this is the general opinion, then perhaps last season I had more aura than this one.

“Jurgen definitely has an aura — that’s clear. But a winning manager has an aura as well,” he added.