Arne Slot has confronted problem after problem this season, from Liverpool‘s horrid run of 9 defeats in 12 to Mohamed Salah’s explosive interview at Leeds.
How Slot offers with out Alexander Isak is the subsequent large query.
The Swede has hardly had a flying begin to life at Anfield since making the £125m transfer from Newcastle in the summertime, however the motion and end for his objective towards Tottenham on Saturday confirmed precisely why Liverpool signed him.
“It’s essential be on the high of the sport to affect a sport. And it took months earlier than we might convey him up. We at all times knew it could take him time. And that is why it is so unfortunate that he is now injured,” mentioned Slot.
“All of us noticed he was getting nearer and nearer to the participant that he was final season at Newcastle.”
Slot mentioned it’s a “lengthy harm” and Isak can be out for “a few months” and that’s most likely the very best case state of affairs for Liverpool. It’s going to, in all probability, be March by the point Isak can play soccer once more.
It stays to be seen whether or not Liverpool will make a transfer for an additional attacker in January, with costly options to short-term issues not a part of the membership mannequin.
Hugo Ekitike can be thriving with eight league objectives this season, with Slot saying the 23-year-old has “already tailored to the Premier League.”
Requested about the potential of recalling Harvey Elliott – who hasn’t performed since October – from Aston Villa, Slot mentioned: “Harvey is an Aston Villa participant and he’s purported to be going there for a yr. If the query is about him then the very best factor to ask is at Villa, who’re doing fairly properly by the best way.”
Isak has solely made 10 begins for Liverpool since signing however with him now out of rivalry and Salah away on obligation on the African Cup of Nations, Slot could also be compelled right into a tactical restructure to take care of the Swede’s absence.
