Arne Slot offers explanation for Liverpool slump with Alexander Isak example

View 2 Images

Liverpool boss Arne Slot has admitted it has been difficult to keep record signing Alexander Isak fit following his insufficient pre-season. The Dutchman believes that similar issues throughout his squad have contributed to recent difficulties emerging at Anfield.

The Reds are on a four-match losing streak in the Premier League , and their task has been made no easier by injuries to summer signings Isak, Giovanni Leoni, and Jeremie Frimpong, and Alisson Becker, Curtis Jones, and Ryan Gravenberch all suffering issues in recent weeks. Liverpool sit seventh in the top-flight, seven points behind leaders Arsenal , who have been praised for the depth Mikel Arteta now has at his disposal.

Slot remains content with the make-up and depth of his squad, despite a less convincing start than in his debut season. The former Feyenoord boss has admitted he is struggling to keep some players fit after they were unable to have a full pre-season.

Isak is perhaps the most obvious of those players, having gone on strike to force a move from Newcastle . The Swede did not participate in first-team training with the Magpies after he was left out of their pre-season tour.

"I am happy with the team, the quality we have and convinced by the strategy and policy we have," Slot said in his press conference ahead of Aston Villa . "But that makes it the issue, not all of them had a proper pre-season or have been injured, so when 3/4 injured you go back to 15 or 16. I am convinced 20 is enough but we are struggling to keep them fit for obvious reasons.

"Alex came to us Sept 1 and it has been harder to keep them fit, so if a few aren't available it comes to the same players. Maybe last season we were lucky and now unlucky? But we've had a few away games with only a few days rest in between. No excuses, before people say...

"We have to manage the situation, 3 games in 7 or 8 days. So nothing to do with squad depth, more just injuries and availability of players."

Slot explained that he has been forced into a position to make use of Isak's services, despite the issues surrounding his match fitness. And it has not been the only area such a dilemma has been present.

View 2 Images

"We handle the situation as it is. Alex, let me use as an example, pre-season was inside the season. People ask why he plays? Otherwise I have to play Hugo every game.

"Both strikers, Owen Hargreaves showed me, both played 34 games last season, we play 60 over here, so I need Alex having as many games as he can. And that has been something with him and a few others - Frimpong, Bradley - if one is out one has to play more, hence Szoboszlai at right-back more.

"That has been something every team, so it's not an excuse but it was a bit different than last season, last season they all had one year PL experience as a minimum, they stayed fit. Now some have to play more than you want them to but it is just the situation as it is."

Sky has slashed the price of its Essential TV and Sky Sports bundle ahead of the 2025/26 season, saving members £192 and offering more than 1,400 live matches across the Premier League, EFL and more.