Why Arne Slot may regret Alexander Isak call ahead of Liverpool vs Atletico Madrid
Arne Slot may end up regretting his decision to start Alexander Isak against Atletico Madrid in the Champions League.
Isak completed a deadline-day move to Liverpool, worth £125 million, breaking the British transfer record in the process as well.
Slot left Isak out of Liverpool’s win against Burnley on Sunday, with Mohamed Salah scoring a last-gasp penalty to secure the three points for the Reds.
The reason for the Swede’s omission was revealed, though with Slot confirming Isak will play against Atletico Madrid.
Arne Slot may regret Alexander Isak decision against Atletico Madrid
Slot’s decision was due to Isak’s lack of first-team football since going on strike at Newcastle to force a transfer across to Liverpool.
Isak played 18 minutes for Sweden during the international break and is a long way off full fitness, despite the league season starting over a month ago.
As a result, it is likely we will see Isak eased into the Liverpool side over the next month or so, as his match fitness builds.
Slot did, however, hint that Liverpool’s Champions League clash against Atletico Madrid may be the match in which we see Isak make his debut.
Atletico Madrid are one of the toughest teams in Europe to break down, and it will be a true test of Isak’s abilities against Diego Simeone’s men, who have a 42 per cent clean sheet ratio under the Argentine in the Champions League, according to the BBC.
Atletico Madrid have only lost one of their last 10 Champions League openers
What’s more is Atletico Madrid’s imperious record in the opening matches of their Champions League campaigns under Simeone.
Of their last 10 opening Champions League matches, Simeone’s side have only lost one, a truly remarkable record.
| Atletico Madrid 2025-26 | |
| vs Espanyol | 1-2 |
| vs Elche | 1-1 |
| vs Alaves | 1-1 |
| vs Villarreal | 2-0 |
Liverpool fans will have painful memories of Atletico Madrid’s 3-2 win over them at Anfield in March 2020, but the North East side have won their last two matches against the Rojiblanco.
If Isak can showcase why Liverpool trusted him with such a large cash outlay, then Slot’s side will surely feel they’re well placed to strike down Atletico Madrid’s impressive record.