How Alexander Isak ‘surprised’ Arne Slot on Liverpool debut | OneFootball

Alexander Isak left Liverpool boss Arne Slot “positively surprised” with his fitness levels as he finally made his debut following his record-breaking transfer in the summer.

The striker had barely seen the pitch this season after refusing to play for Newcastle United to force through a move to Anfield.

Isak got his wish on Deadline Day, moving for a British record £125 million fee, which could rise to £130m in potential add-ons, but arrived lacking match fitness after missing pre-season and the opening three games of the new Premier League campaign.

The 25-year-old played just 20 minutes for Sweden over the international before being left out of the matchday squad for the Reds’ 1-0 win over Burnley at the weekend.

Slot handed Isak his first start for the club against Atletico Madrid in the Champions League on Wednesday and, although he did not score or assist, he looked sharper than expected before being subbed off in the 58th minute of their 3-2 victory.

How Alexander Isak ‘surprised’ Arne Slot on Liverpool debut

Asked if he was surprised by the forward’s display, Slot said: “Particularly because I think in the 60 minutes he played, he seemed to be quite fit to me – so it wasn’t as if, after 10 minutes, he was already very tired.

“He could just play at this level quite well so that was the most positive thing – and that he can play football, and that he’s a joy to watch. That is not a surprise to me, but he was maybe fitter than I expected.

“I was positively surprised by how fit he was. I was not surprised by the quality but it is always nice to see when a player starts how he started. It was a good start but only 60 minutes.”

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Slot was unsure whether or not Isak would start against Everton at home this Saturday, but added: “You can tell David (Moyes) he is not going to play 90 minutes.

“I’m really happy he could start today. That’s why we didn’t play him against Burnley. He was good today and when Hugo (Ekitike) came in, he was a big factor also.

“We have two great No 9s and we’re going to use them, both of them, throughout the whole period they’re here.”

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