Liverpool FC head coach Arne Slot handed British record signing Alexander Isak a surprise start against Atletico Madrid. The striker played for about sixty minutes and showed flashes of what he could do, linking up well with fellow summer signing Florian Wirtz. Slot spoke about Isak’s performance, particularly his fitness:
“Particularly because I think in the 60 minutes he played, he seemed to be quite fit to me so it wasn’t as if, after 10 minutes, he was already very tired.”
“He could just play at this level quite well so that was the most positive thing and that he can play football and that he’s a joy to watch.”
“That is not a surprise to me but he was maybe fitter than I expected.”
“I’m really happy he could start today. That’s why we didn’t play him against Burnley. He was good today and when Hugo (Ekitike) came in, he was a big factor also.”
“We have two great number nines and we’re going to use them, both of them, throughout the whole period they’re here.”
Vice-captain Andy Robertson, whose posterior helped deflect Mo Salah’s free-kick into the net for Liverpool’s first goal, also chimed in on Isak’s debut:
“I thought he was excellent. He’s not really had a pre season, not had a lot of games since last season, but I thought, especially the first half, he was excellent.”
“Naturally he got tired and then it’s amazing to have a player like Hugo to come on and both of them have got such quality.”
Isak showed a willingness to run, was quick on the turn and to shoot and combined spectacularly well with Florian Wirtz, who had a brilliant game setting up multiple chances that were spurned. There’s more to come from this new-look LFC attack, surely.