It was the kind of dry, understated delivery that has become a hallmark of the Arne Slot era at Anfield. When asked about Wayne Rooney’s recent assessment of his ‘aura’ or perceived lack there of Slot didn’t flinch.
The Reds boss has found himself as the latest target for the outside noise this time in the form of some choice words from Wayne Rooney regarding a perceived lack of ‘aura.’
Yet, in the face of mounting scrutiny and a Premier League crown that looks increasingly destined for elsewhere, Slot remains remarkably, perhaps even stubbornly, unfazed.
He had a clear message for his detractors during his Nottingham Forest pre-match briefing. And it was delivered with the kind of dry clinical edge that suggests he isn’t listening to the critics. Not one bit.
Indeed, Liverpool now find themselves 16 points off the top of the table, with their top-four status not even guaranteed, nearly a year on from lifting the top-flight trophy with ease.
It has led to vocal former Manchester United icon Wayne Rooney making claims about Slot’s suitability for the Anfield hot-seat, with the outspoken ex-attacker not holding back.
Rooney’s ‘aura’ comments about Slot
When speaking on the Overlap, Rooney didn’t mince his words about the Dutchman’s dented reputation at Anfield this season.
He said rather brazenly: “I just don’t think, for Liverpool, he has that aura.
Maybe that’s because Liverpool have just come off the back of Jurgen as manager. It’s difficult for anyone to do that, but I just don’t think there is that aura about him.”
Compared to Jurgen Klopp’s heavy-metal style of football, Slot could well be seen as more methodical in his approach, leading to comments from Reds supporters that his own approach and philosophy are “dull and boring” next to the German’s gegenpress-heavy ideas.
But, despite all this rampant criticism, Slot has fired back against Rooney, by reminding everyone that he is on the same pedestal as the much-loved Klopp.
Slot’s response to Rooney’s jibe
Slot was, unsurprisingly, asked about Rooney’s Overlap comments in the build-up to Liverpool’s big weekend clash with Nottingham Forest, with the Dutchman taking the time out to defend himself, amid lifting the Premier League title in much the same way as Klopp did.
He said: “Comparing people with each other is something everyone has the right to do, but is that fair to compare people with each other?
“We are all different. The only thing we have in common, Jurgen and me, is that we both won the league – and that’s not too bad, is it?
“I think the more a manager wins, the more aura he has – that’s in general. I don’t know if you agree with Wayne Rooney by the way, but if this would be the general opinion, then I think people would probably tell you last season I had more aura than this season.”
Arne Slot: Liverpool Managerial Record
(Data as of February 21, 2026)
| Competition | Games | Won | Drawn | Lost | Win % |
| PL (overall) | 64 | 37 | 15 | 12 | 57.8% |
| PL (24/25) | 38 | 25 | 9 | 4 | 65.8% |
| PL (25/26) | 26 | 12 | 6 | 8 | 46.1% |
He also went on to state that he does have an ‘aura’, as winning managers often do, even if he is experiencing some tough times on Merseyside at present.
Slot further added: “But maybe he’s the only one who has this opinion, I don’t know, you tell me. It’s the first time that I heard this, but I think it’s fair to say that Jurgen definitely has an aura.
‘I can talk about him, not about myself, but he definitely had that [aura]. But, a winning manager has an aura as well.”
The ex-Feyenoord boss will hope he can brush all this media noise to one side when Liverpool travel to Forest on Sunday.
Whether Slot’s dry wit can translate into a much-needed three points remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: the Liverpool head coach isn’t about to let the outside narrative dictate his Anfield tenure
Whether Slot’s dry wit can translate into a much-needed three points remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: the Liverpool head coach isn’t about to let the outside narrative dictate his Anfield tenure
