Arne Slot confirmed Alexander Isak was changed at half time of Liverpool’s 5-1 win at Eintracht Frankfurt resulting from a groin damage.
The striker began alongside Hugo Ekitike in Germany, however his night time was ended on the break as he was changed by Federico Chiesa.
Isak’s kind has come beneath scrutiny since his £125m transfer from Newcastle this summer time, having solely scored within the Carabao Cup for his new aspect.
After the Champions League encounter – which introduced an finish to a four-match dropping run – Reds boss Slot confirmed Isak got here off due to damage.
He advised TNT Sports activities: “Alexander needed to go off at half-time as a result of he felt his groin just a little bit. That is a pity.
“I’ve stated many instances it’s such a tough stability to search out with a participant that missed three months.
“You go slowly with him and other people argue about taking part in him longer. We have now performed him for the second time in three days and sadly he needed to go off.
“Let’s hope for the best but it is not an easy balance to find when a player has been out for so long.”
He later added in his press convention: “Today with Alex and Hugo, I brought two players on the pitch who are usually able to score goals. Alex was a few times close but had to go off at half-time.
“Usually you attempt to put together gamers for once-a-week soccer, however in case you are Liverpool you play each three days or usually thrice in eight days however we have been unlucky this season we’ve to play thrice in seven days.
“We have tried to arrange him for that, we had been actually cautious, and he was completely match when he got here again from the nationwide workforce earlier than the United recreation.
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Talking on Again Pages Tonight, Craig Hope from the Day by day Mail claims that Alexander Isak has misplaced his perception and intuition as a striker and believes it is greater than only a health challenge.
“We thought he was well prepared for that but the margins at the top are small. I’m hoping it won’t be that bad, because if he’s out for a few weeks it will put him back. So let’s wait.”
On beginning with Alexander Isak on Wednesday, Ekitike added: “I think it was good. It was not our best half together, but we can improve together.
“He is an excellent participant and in time, we have to work collectively and discover a good affiliation. The hyperlinks will come after which it’ll work.”
Right-back Jeremie Frimpong’s stop-start to the campaign also continued after he was ruled out for a “few weeks” with a hamstring injury, which saw him replaced by Conor Bradley in the first half.
Jeremie Frimpong was additionally taken off for Liverpool within the first half with a hamstring damage
Slot: We would have liked a win
Slot was relieved after the beating of Frankfurt, and added an perception into the variations between the match in Germany and their earlier 4 defeats.
He added to TNT Sports activities: “We needed a win. What we needed more was another performance where we create a lot of chances but the players get the reward with a win. That’s what happened.
“I noticed loads of similarities in comparison with the opposite video games as a result of the primary probability they received was a purpose – possibly it was the one probability they’d – and we went 3-1 up, and it is possibly simpler to regulate a recreation whenever you’re 3-1 up than in case you are 1-0 or 2-1 down.
Ibrahima Konate scored Liverpool’s third purpose
“But the main difference between this game and the four before was that in most of them, the other team scored from a set piece and this time, we scored from two set-pieces.
“Then folks targeted extra on the assaults we had within the second half moderately than the misplaced passes, which we most likely had as nicely. However whenever you’re 3-1 up, you might be judged in another way.”
Ekitike: I would not be right here with out Frankfurt
Hugo Ekitike scored towards his former membership, Eintracht Frankfurt, within the Champions League recreation
It was a fast return to Frankfurt for Ekitike, who joined Liverpool from the Bundesliga membership this summer time. He scored too, refusing to have a good time within the aftermath, and credited Frankfurt with making him the participant he’s now.
“I had to [score],” he advised TNT Sports activities. “It was a great feeling and it was something special for me to come back, I would say at home.
“I do know everyone right here so it was a particular recreation for me and to win and rating my first purpose within the Champions League, I am actually comfortable.
“I have so much respect for them. They made me the player I am right now, I wouldn’t be here if I didn’t come to Frankfurt.
“So I come and be respectful and grateful for what they gave to me. I’ll preserve what I realized right here and the worth they gave me with me sooner or later.”
Van Dijk: Not an announcement, nevertheless it’s a win
Virgil van Dijk scored Liverpool’s second purpose towards Eintracht Frankfurt
Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk was additionally on the scoresheet in Germany, and stated the one technique to discover the successful contact once more was to stay collectively as a bunch.
“I don’t know if it’s a statement, but it’s a win and something to build on,” he advised TNT Sports activities.
“I’ve been in the football business for a while so I wouldn’t say it’s relief [at winning], but we were disappointed with losing games.
“I do not suppose it is occurred in my time, dropping 4 in a row. That is one thing you must cope with as a bunch, stick collectively, block the surface noise and preserve working.
“The only way to perform in the best way possible is to focus on the task ahead and perform as a team – that’s the only way to win games.
“We clearly have the person high quality otherwise you would not play for Liverpool, however you must do it collectively to achieve success. So preserve going and do not get dragged into that stuff [outside noise].
“Today, we won. We got three points on the board, now we recover and get ready for Brentford.”
