Liverpool can become "unstoppable" with Alexander Isak transfer after key replacement found

Wayne Rooney believes Liverpool would be "unstoppable" if they did manage to get a deal for Alexander Isak over the line as Arne Slot bids to go back-to-back in the Premier League.

The Reds were dominant en route to their title triumph under the Dutchman last year and they've been aggressive in the transfer market to ensure they remain top of the tree. Already they have broken the British-record to land Florian Wirtz from Bayer Leverkusen.

Hugo Ekitike has also come in to lead the line after joining for just shy of £80million from Frankfurt. But that hasn't stopped Liverpool making moves to land Isak after he expressed a desire to leave Newcastle.

The Magpies have dug their heels in, rejecting a bid worth more than £100m from those at Anfield, and maintain their player won't be sold. Isak is doing all he can to force the move, claiming he has played his last game at St James' Park. The saga still has weeks to run but Rooney insists it is a scary prospect if the Swede does make the move.

He told Match of the Day: "I already have Liverpool as favourites to win the title this year, but if Isak comes in I think they're going to be unstoppable. The quality they've got. I think a big thing was replacing Trent because a lot of chances and goals came from that side and I think (Jeremie) Frimpong has got the attributes to go and fill that side."

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Frimpong, like Wirtz, joined from Leverkusen and fills the void left by Trent Alexander-Arnold. The Dutch full-back has been hugely creative and Liverpool will hope he's able to be as effective in the final third with their former right-back crucial to their attacking output.

Rooney's predictions for the season have also seen him earmark Rio Ngumoha as the best young player. The teenager showed glimpses of quality during pre-season with Slot admitting: "I see him train, I see him play, and the impact he has when he trains and plays is really promising."

Rooney has also backed former side Manchester United to return to Champions League action despite finishing a lowly 15th last term. It was an all-time low in the Premier League era but more than £200m has been spent on the likes of Benjamin Sesko and their former player believes they could be a signing or two from making a huge leap.

He said: "As I said I still think they need one or two more signings, but Amorim, I can see what he's doing and I think it is looking better and I think they will sneak into the top five."

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