Slot gives honest verdict on Isak, Mac Allister and Bradley fitness issues
Arne Slot has offered a detailed update on three important players ahead of our clash with Chelsea, with fitness and adaptation still a theme early in the campaign.
Isak adaptation at Liverpool
Speaking via liverpoolfc.com, Arne Slot discussed how British record signing Alexander Isak is still settling into life at Anfield. The Swedish striker scored his first goal for us but is still building rhythm.
“I said to him when he started that the difficult thing will be you will have your appearances … but if you add the minutes together, [he] probably only had two or three 90-minute games,” explained the 47-year-old.
Slot highlighted that this came from the situation at Newcastle before the transfer, where the forward had not consistently played full matches.
He stressed: “He already scored a goal, he gets fitter and fitter, but the main thing is he adjusts to his teammates and the teammates adjust to him.”
The Dutchman pointed to a counter-movement against Crystal Palace that showed what the £125m signing can offer once combinations improve.
Liverpool have already signed Florian Wirtz this summer, another record-breaking deal, but the German playmaker has been the centre of widespread criticism of late.
Mac Allister and Bradley fitness complicating rhythm
Our head coach also touched on how absences have disrupted cohesion. He mentioned Alexis Mac Allister and Conor Bradley in particular, with their availability limiting consistency across midfield and defence.
The Dutchman detailed also that Alisson Becker will be away from the team for the next few weeks, showcasing our fitness issues further.
Because of these problems outfield Dominik Szoboszlai has been asked to play in multiple roles – “on eight, on 10, on right full-back” – to cover the gaps.
That mirrors the kind of adaptability we saw last term when Liverpool pushed on to the Premier League title.
Set-pieces were also raised, with the manager noting: “Last part of last season we scored seven set-pieces … this season we’ve conceded four.”
He warned Chelsea have scored over 50% of their goals this way, showing how small margins can decide matches.
Liverpool’s summer was shaped by huge arrivals such as Isak and Wirtz, but as the boss made clear, fitness and familiarity will decide how quickly we find top gear again.
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