Slot teases fans with Isak’s debut at Anfield
Reading Time: 3min | Wed. 17.09.25. | 16:29
The Dutch coach suggested that the record signing might play tonight
This year’s Champions League fixtures haven’t been so kind to Liverpool. Among other tough opponents (Inter Milan, Marseille, Galatasaray), the Reds are facing both Madrid giants – Real and Atletico. Luckily for coach Arne Slot, both game will be played at packed Enfield which is a kind of a relief. The hasty Liverpool crowd want to know only one thing – will they finally see Alexander Isak in the famous red shirt tonight. The Swede was the main ‘actor’ in the transfer window drama which was played until the last day and finally got his way after an ugly and unpleasant behavior towards Newcastle. And now it’s time for a debut for a club in which he wants to win ‘everything’.
But the decision will he start or will he come as a sub lies only with Slot. As the Dutch coach admitted even before the Burnley game, the only obstacle is the player’s fitness. Isak forced his Liverpool move in a worst possible way – by boycotting to train with the team and play, and now he is not match fit.
“There is definitely a chance because he is in the squad, then there is a chance to play. It is 100 per cent sure he will not play 90 minutes. But he is part of the squad so it is already a Champions League game to look forward to but if people look forward to his playing time that could mean that could happen tomorrow as well. He needs to get fit. He doesn't have to prove to anyone he is good enough to play in the Premier League because that is what he has proven already at Newcastle” said Slot.
The Dutchman didn’t want to talk so much about Isak as he was annoyed with the press who were debating Liverpool’s high spending (450 million pounds in this transfer window).
“There is so much focus on our new signings, especially from pundits that favour some other clubs in the country that cannot stop talking about 450 million pounds. I repeat, 450, 450m! But they forget about the 300 million that we have sold. So, yes, if we want to strengthen the squad we need to spend that much money. If we sell Dominik Szoboszlai tomorrow he would be worth 100m as well. I think it is only a compliment that people tell everyone we have spent so much because that tells you the players we brought in are seen as very good players. I think we did great business; we brought in great players and to add to that, we have already lowered the age of the players” explained the Dutchman.
UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE - MATCHDAY 1
Tuesday
Athletic Bilbao - Arsenal 0-2 (0-0)
/Martinelli 72, Trossard 87/
PSV - St. Gilloise 1-3 (0-2)
/Van Bommel 90 - David 9 pen, Ait El Hadj 39, Mac Allister 81/
Benfica - Qarabag 2-3 (2-1)
/Barrenechea 6, Pavlidis 16 - Andrade 30, Duran 48, Kashchuk 86/
Juventus - Dortmund 4-4 (0-0)
/Yildiz 64, Vlahovic 68, 90+4, Kelly 90+6 - Adeyemi 52, Nmecha 65, Couto 75, Bensebaini 83 pen/
Real Madrid - Olympique Marseille 2-1 (1-1)
/Mbappe 29 pen, 81 pen - Weah 22/
Tottenham - Villarreal 1-0 (1-0)
/Luiz Junior 4 og/
Wednesday
19.45: (1.45) Olympiakos (4.40) Paphos (7.50)
19.45: (1.85) Slavia Praha (3.60) Bodo (4.30)
22.00: (4.10) Ajax (3.50) Inter (1.90)
22.00: (1.67) Bayern (4.25) Chelsea (4.85)
22.00: (1.62) Liverpool (3.90) Atl.Madrid (5.60)
22.00: (1.50) PSG (4.50) Atalanta (7.25)
