Isak started up front in Liverpool’s Champions League opener and played 58 minutes before being replaced by Hugo Ekitike. The 25-year-old striker linked up well with fellow new boy Florian Wirtz, showing flashes of his quality despite his lack of preseason minutes. Liverpool eventually sealed the win late on through captain Virgil van Dijk, who scored a dramatic stoppage-time header.
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Getty/GOALLiverpool boss Arne Slot 'surprised' at Alexander Isak after Swedish striker finally makes Reds debut following deadline day switch from Newcastle
AFPSlot surprised by Isak's fitness despite lack of pre-season
“I was positively surprised by how fit Alexander was during the 60 minutes,” Slot told TNT Sports. "That maybe tells you that it might be different to sign a 20-year-old from a different league than a 25-year-old used to playing in this league. Although he only trained for two weeks, he has so many games under his belt in this league. I wasn’t surprised about his quality as we all know that. It’s always nice to see if a player starts the way he started. Ekitike started the same way.
“It was a good start, only 60 minutes and now we have to build him up from here. He’s not going to play 90 against Everton. One of the things you need if you want to compete for the Premier League and the cups is mentality and fitness and quality and today we saw that."
AFPIsak could start against Everton but 90 minutes unlikely
Liverpool face Everton in the Merseyside derby at Anfield this weekend, where Slot has confirmed Isak will not play the full 90 minutes. The Swede will continue to build fitness as the Reds look to integrate him gradually into their frontline. With two elite strikers now at his disposal, Slot is keen to strike the right balance as Liverpool chase silverware on multiple fronts.
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