Arne Slot given Alexander Isak warning, he’s had a ‘horrendous summer’
Liverpool manager Arne Slot has been warned about risking Alexander Isak from the start against Burnley.
Slot could hand Isak, who joined Liverpool for £125million from Newcastle, his debut for the club at Turf Moor.
Isak appeared for Sweden during the international break for his first piece of competitive action since Newcastle‘s final game of the season against Everton in May.
Liverpool travel to Burnley with three wins from three Premier League matches, with fellow striker Hugo Ekitike having netted twice so far this campaign.
Leaving Alexander Isak on the bench ‘is the smart thing to do’
As per The Standard, [11 September], Joe Cole think Isak needs to slowly integrate himself back into action and Slot should not be rushed to start him at Burnley.
“I don’t expect him to go into the team straight away,” Cole said.
“I think they’ve got to be smart with him. And you’ve got to expect Liverpool to do that with all of their players – they’ve been blooded in. They are playing well. Ekitike’s scoring goals, there’s no need to rush him.
“I think it’s a smart thing to do, is just to feed him in, let him come off the bench, let all the hoo-ha die down, and just let him figure out how to become a Liverpool player.
“There’s no rush. It’s not like they’ve lost two of the first three and they need him right at it. You know, come on with 20 minutes, half an hour to go, and see how he goes.
“You have to remember, this lad’s had a horrendous summer. To push his move, what expense is him pushing his move at Newcastle to get there? All the bad energy coming from the Newcastle fans. It didn’t sit right with a lot of football fans.
“He’s been inactive in playing and training with top-level players for so long. So is that going to dull his ability straight away? …
“All of that emotional baggage he’s going to have to deal with now. Put that to bed and restart becoming a footballer.”
Isak has scored in both his clashes with Burnley, meaning Slot may feel compelled to get the 25-year-old off to a good start.
Isak’s Liverpool career could take time to lift off
With the attacking options Slot has, leaving Isak on the bench for his first game should not do the Reds any harm.
Isak needs to regain full fitness and match sharpness which will be lacking after many months in exile at Newcastle.
| Alexander Isak | Stats |
| Appearances | 109 |
| Goals | 44 |
| Assists | 8 |
Ekitike’s fine start to the season means the Frenchman should be given the opportunity to keep his place in the side, although Isak’s high price tag will pace greater pressure on Slot to start him.
Becoming the main man at Liverpool may take time for Isak, and Slot will have to work out how to get the best out of all of his attacking stars.
Playing two up top is a not a system Slot has ever used at Anfield, meaning either one of Isak or Ekitike may have to settle for a place on the bench.