Liverpool boss reserves praise for one players ‘lackluster performance’ at Palace | OneFootball

Slot Praises Isak Despite Defeat at Selhurst Park

Liverpool’s record-breaking signing Alexander Isak was handed his first Premier League start under Arne Slot, with the Dutchman describing the striker’s display as “quite a good performance” despite a frustrating afternoon in South London.

Record Transfer Meets Premier League Reality

After a summer defined by prolonged negotiations, Liverpool finally secured Isak from Newcastle United in a £125 million deal on deadline day. It was a transfer that dominated the final weeks of the window, reflecting both Slot’s desire to add a new attacking option and the club’s willingness to pay a fee that reset the domestic market.

The 26-year-old had been introduced from the bench against Everton, and featured in the Champions League against Atletico Madrid and the League Cup tie with Southampton. Yet the trip to Crystal Palace marked his first chance to lead the line in England’s top flight.

Slot had been cautious in the build-up, acknowledging that a full 90 minutes might be premature for his new forward. However, circumstances dictated that Isak remained on the pitch until the 84th minute as Liverpool slipped to their first defeat of the 2025 campaign, undone by Eddie Nketiah’s late winner.

Performance Under Scrutiny

Statistically, it was not the debut Isak would have wanted. He struggled to assert himself in the first half, completing just a single pass, and while he did grow into the game, his final numbers told their own story: three shots off target, two big chances missed, and no goal contribution.

Slot, though, was quick to provide context. “That had a lot to do with the low intensity of the game,” he explained. “When you face a low block with ten players around their own area and long clearances from the goalkeeper, then there’s hardly any intensity. In a more open game, I wouldn’t have kept him on that long. But in this match, his role as a number nine was less demanding.”

The Liverpool manager emphasised that while Isak lacked the finishing touch, he showed encouraging signs. “He was close to a goal. He was very honest to stay on his feet when he could have gone down, but that meant he was slightly unbalanced when he struck. He came closer and closer, but in the end he didn’t score. Still, quite a good performance.”

Early Days Under Slot

Liverpool’s new era under Slot has been marked by change, not least in attacking personnel. Isak represents both a statement of intent and a challenge for integration. The manager has already voiced concerns about defensive frailties, particularly at set pieces, and results such as the defeat at Palace highlight the balancing act between evolving tactically and securing immediate points.

For Isak, the start was not a headline-grabbing one, but there is recognition inside Anfield that adjustment takes time. A proven goalscorer in the Premier League with Newcastle, his ability to convert half-chances and occupy defenders will be central to Slot’s vision. The manager’s decision to publicly back him, even after a missed opportunity to announce himself in style, is an indication of the trust placed in Liverpool’s record signing.

Looking Ahead

The focus now turns to whether Isak can translate the promise of his Liverpool debut into decisive contributions in the weeks ahead. Slot’s side remain in the early stages of transition, and while defeat to Palace stings, the long-term view centres on building a side capable of challenging at the top of the Premier League and in Europe.

Isak will be judged on goals, but performances such as this show the wider context matters. Slot’s measured assessment reflects that reality: Liverpool believe their new forward has the qualities to deliver, even if the numbers are yet to arrive.