Alexander Isak defended from Liverpool criticism by Arne Slot as Reds boss claims £125m striker was 'very honest' in Crystal Palace loss

Isak made his first Premier League start for the Reds as they lost 2-1 at Selhurst Park. The 26-year-old played 84 minutes on his first league start since May, coming close to scoring on one occasion as he wriggled through a couple of challenges before sliding the ball wide under pressure.

Isak was ultimately replaced by teenager Rio Ngumoha late on with Hugo Ekitike unavailable due to suspension, following his second yellow card and resulting dismissal for taking his shirt off against Southampton in the Carabao Cup in midweek.

Slot spoke to the press following the match and praised the Swede’s performance while explaining the decision to keep him on for almost the whole 90 minutes. He also justified his decision to start Florian Wirtz over Cody Gakpo, adding that he felt the first-half performance did not go to plan and so he made changes at the break.

Isak and his eventual move to Anfield was no doubt the story of the summer, dividing much of the public opinion and beginning a conversation over the dangers of player power in modern football.

Due to the nature of his summer move, Isak did not partake in pre-season with Newcastle United as he opted to train alone at old club Real Sociedad rather than go away on the Magpies’ summer tour.

Finally getting his dream transfer to Liverpool on deadline day, Isak has had to work hard to catch up on his fitness levels – including doing sprints at half-time before he was withdrawn against Southampton. He had earlier opened his Reds account with a smart finish in the first half.

Starting in the league in a tough fixture at Palace was a significant step, as expressed by Slot, and Isak will hope that he can return to his unstoppable best in his new colours in the coming weeks.

Slot said: “Isak playing 84 minutes had a lot to do with the low intensity of the game.

"If you face a low block, 10 players in and around their own 18-yard box and when they have to do a build-up they take a while with hardly any intensity.

“In a more open game where you have to run a lot as a nine, then you might not play him for 84, but this was a game in which it was a low block with some bursts of counter-attacks.

“He was close to a goal, very honest to stay on his feet, got a little bit of a shirt pull and that’s why he was unbalanced when he shot. So that was maybe just enough, smart little push to get him unbalanced. He didn’t score but it was quite a good performance.

Speaking on his selection, Slot added: “We wanted to overload the midfield with Wirtz in the first half which is why we didn’t start with Cody.

“But if you’re 1-0 down and need a goal you prefer to have width both sides and that’s why we brought on Cody. That’s why we brought on more attacking players and took a risk. The way we played first half wasn’t what I was hoping for before the game."

Ekitike will be back in contention for the Reds’ crunch clashes against Galatasaray and Chelsea next week, as the champions look to bounce back from their 97^th-minute heartbreak at the hands of Eddie Nketiah on Saturday. It may be a case of Ekitike and Isak starting one match each, or Slot may decide to use Isak as a substitute as he continues to work on his fitness. 

The one thing which is for sure is that the Dutchman has two top-quality strikers to choose from, both of whom will no doubt have a key role to play as the Reds hope to challenge on all fronts this season.