Arne Slot has shared his opinion on Alexander Isak’s full Premier League debut for Liverpool and his decision to start Florian Wirtz over Cody Gakpo in the 2-1 defeat at Crystal Palace
Alexander Isak applauds the Liverpool fans following the Premier League defeat at Crystal Palace(Image: Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
Arne Slot says he was pleased with Alexander Isak’s performance on his first Premier League start for Liverpool as they lost 2-1 to Crystal Palace on Saturday. The Swede played 84 minutes in total before being withdrawn for teenager Rio Ngumoha on what was his first top-flight start since May.
It was a sizable step forward for a £125m striker who had no pre-season due to the acrimonious nature of his transfer from Newcastle on deadline day.
After Ismaila Sarr had given the hosts an early lead, Federico Chiesa struck a late leveller in south London before Eddie Nketiah netted the winner in the 97th minute to inflict a first defeat on the Reds this season.
READ MORE: ‘One of our players’ – Arne Slot makes brutally honest Liverpool admission after Crystal Palace loss
OPINION
Ian Doyle
Explaining the decision to keep Isak on for nearly the entirety of the game, 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.”
Slot also detailed the thinking behind the call to start Florian Wirtz over Cody Gakpo in the front three.
The Germany international was encouraged to occupy more central areas than his Netherlands international colleague would.
And Liverpool boss 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.”