Chris Sutton claims one ‘situation has affected Liverpool’ – ‘You reap what you sow’
Arne Slot has an issue to overcome which has been affecting Liverpool all season, and it will not be a quick fix for the Dutchman.
Liverpool thrashed Frankfurt 5-1 in the Champions League to return to winning ways after four consecutive defeats.
Slot though is one defeat from a crisis as Liverpool travel to Brentford looking to reduce the gap on league leaders Arsenal.
Jeremie Frimpong’s injury at Frankfurt rules the right-back out of the clash at Brentford, alongside striker Alexander Isak.
Alexander Isak hasn’t helped himself at Liverpool
Isak is competing with Hugo Ekitike at Liverpool for the strikers spot, but the Sweden international had to be withdrawn at half-time against Frankfurt.
Therefore, Isak will not play at Brentford, and Chris Sutton, as per BBC Sport [24 October] believes the striker hasn’t helped himself or Slot.
“It feels like what has happened to him is a case of you reap what you sow,” Sutton said.
“Isak has been short of full fitness and especially sharpness all season anyway, and he did not help himself there by missing training with Newcastle in order to try to force his move to Anfield through.
| Minutes Played | 253 |
| Goals | 0 |
| Expected Goals | 0.94 |
| Assists | 1 |
| Shots | 6 |
| Shots on target | 1 |
“He got what he wanted, but now he is trying to play catch-up instead of hitting the ground running because of the time he had off, and that is when you can pick up injuries.
“Isak is too good a player not to eventually start scoring goals but this whole situation has affected Liverpool as a team too, because his lack of fitness is one of the reasons they have not clicked in the final third yet.”
Isak was a phenomenon at Newcastle, scoring 27 goals in all competitions at the Toon, but his fitness has hindered his start to life on Merseyside.
Hugo Ekitike becoming first choice in Arne Slot’s starting XI
The longer Isak struggles with form and injury issues, the harder it is for Slot to justify starting the 26-year-old over Ekitike.
Ekitike has started his Liverpool career brightly, and scored his sixth goal in 12 games against Frankfurt, showing his sharpness in-front of goal compared to Isak.
The Frenchman has a greater chance to stake his claim to Slot that he should be the number one striker at the club, beginning at Brentford.