Liverpool manager Arne Slot has issued a staunch defence of his star striker Alexander Isak, warning rival supporters not to underestimate the forward's ability once he reaches full fitness and form.
Patience Required for a Long-Term Investment
The Reds' head coach has admitted he always anticipated a challenging initial period for the Swedish international, who completed a dramatic £125 million Deadline Day move from Newcastle United after a summer-long transfer saga. Slot emphasised that the club's vision for Isak extends far beyond his first few months at Anfield.
"That was the most difficult aspect of the signing," Slot explained. "I believe I stated at the time that we signed him for six years, not for three months. I tried to be clear from the outset about how tough the opening months would be for him."
Slot pointed to the striker's interrupted rhythm as a key factor, noting it is not ideal for any player to be in and out of the side. "Every player wants to play 90 minutes after 90 minutes, so it's not nice for Alex to play 60, come off, then see a teammate come in, only to play 60 again. That's not how you want to begin your Liverpool career," he said.
Building Confidence and Presence
The Dutch manager dismissed early criticism based on statistics from Isak's first 12 appearances, which yielded just two goals. He argued that all strikers go through dry spells and that a player of Isak's calibre should not see his confidence shattered.
"We live in a grown-up world, and the life of a striker is always like this," Slot remarked. "I assume he has had spells in his career before where he didn't score for a few consecutive games. If you have his track record, I don't believe it influences your confidence that much."
When asked if Isak possesses a similar assertive presence to Manchester City's Erling Haaland, Slot declined to compare their physiques but affirmed the Swede's inherent quality. "The Alexander Isak who scored so many goals for Newcastle, the one I saw in the League Cup final and thought, 'I would love him in my team' – he has presence. Presence comes with confidence, and confidence comes from scoring goals and winning. He definitely has that presence," Slot asserted.
Looking Ahead to Leeds and Squad News
There are positive signs that Isak is turning a corner, having started Liverpool's last two matches and finding the net in the recent Premier League victory over West Ham United. He is now considered fit enough to feature again in Saturday's trip to face Leeds United, though Slot faces a selection decision between Isak and fellow striker Hugo Ekitike.
In a further boost for the squad, defender Conor Bradley is expected to return to the matchday squad after missing the last three weeks with an injury sustained while on international duty with Northern Ireland.
Despite the slow start, Slot's message is one of unwavering belief. "It is far from an ideal situation, but this club doesn't buy a player for half a year. We bought him for six years," he concluded. "I have no doubt that eventually he will become the player we signed him to be. Sometimes, like last week, he has already shown it."
