Arne Slot is back to his cool, calm, and joke-making best following Liverpool's 1-0 win over Real Madrid in the Champions League on Tuesday night - and his subtle remarks aimed at Wayne Rooney prove just that. The Reds have struggled for form lately, but their 2-0 victory over Aston Villa was easily their best performance of the new campaign, and Slot’s side went one better in midweek.
The Anfield encounter played out like a game of chess with the speed rules of hot potato - strategically thought out, yet never at a pace that suggested careful calculation. In the end, it took Alexis Mac Allister’s header to make the difference, as the Premier League champions have now beaten Real Madrid twice in two seasons under their new manager.
Suddenly, there’s plenty for Liverpool supporters to get excited about. So many standout performances made the Reds look like a completely different side from the one that had just endured a four-game winless streak in the league. If anyone ever doubted Slot, let the chants inside Anfield - and his confident exchange with Rooney - be the proof in the pudding that there's no better manager to help them get back on track.
Liverpool manager Arne Slot gives a thumbs up after beating Aston Villa.
Premier League - Liverpool v Aston Villa - Anfield, Liverpool, Britain - November 1, 2025 Liverpool manager Arne Slot acknowledges fans after the match REUTERS/Phil Noble
Appearing on Amazon Prime’s coverage after the game, Slot joined Gabby Logan, Robbie Fowler, and Daniel Sturridge for a post-match chat. But it was Rooney who felt the full force of the Dutchman in full flow, as the Liverpool manager couldn’t resist aiming a cheeky jab at the former Everton and Manchester United forward’s own managerial career. He said (watch the full segment below):
"It’s clear that it’s nicer when you win games than when you lose games as a manager. Am I right or am I wrong heh? [stares at Rooney]"
It’s fair to assume Slot’s comments played on Rooney’s notoriously poor managerial record. Since retiring, his coaching journey has been rocky - most notably being sacked after just 83 days at Birmingham City in 2024, with only two wins in 15 games. His attempts to steady the ship at Plymouth Argyle and Derby County weren’t much more successful, and Virgil van Dijk awkwardly added more digs to Rooney's backlog in a separate interview.
Rooney still has a long road ahead in management before he reaches the standards of the two smooth operators on the touchline during Tuesday night’s compelling clash. On one side stood Slot, fresh off winning a Premier League title in his first season; on the other, Xabi Alonso, who - despite being early in his managerial career - already boasts an unbeaten Bundesliga title with Bayer Leverkusen just two seasons ago.