'Affected them as a team': Chris Sutton says one new player has single-handedly made them worse this season

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Liverpool are likely to be without Alexander Isak for the game against Brentford after his Champions League injury.The Swedish striker had gone off with a groin injury at half-time during the Reds’ European clash against Eintracht Frankfurt and did not get the opportunity to get on the scoresheet in a 5-1 thrashing of the hosts.So far this season, the £125 million signing has not produced the goods for the team yet, with one goal and assist in all competitions, which has made some feel like the investment is not worth it in the short term.Join our newsletter for news & smart analysis. Isak moved from Newcastle United in the summer after a shambolic transfer saga, which saw the player not take part in pre-season and the club not engage with most offers from Liverpool.While fans of the Magpies will be rejoicing in his slow start at his new club, there is still time for the player to be incredible, given his record on Tyneside.Photo by Max Maiwald/DeFodi Images/DeFodi via Getty ImagesChris Sutton says Alexander Isak has affected LiverpoolHowever, there have to be conversations over how the 26-year-old has been integrated into this squad and the number of starts over a player like Hugo Ekitike, even if he is trying to get back up to match fitness.The whole situation with the star has seen pundit Chris Sutton come out as critical of how the Sweden international has played this year and the problems surrounding his move to Merseyside.READ MORE: Did Liverpool make a mistake buying Alexander Isak and who could they have got instead?Sutton, in his prediction for the Brentford game, highlighted him as one of the key issues with this side because his fitness levels have not been good enough to help the Reds in the final third.Writing for BBC Sport, he explained: “Liverpool will probably be without Alexander Isak after he was injured against Eintracht Frankfurt on Wednesday.“It feels like what has happened to him is a case of you reap what you sow.

Isak has been short of full fitness and especially sharpness all season anyway, and he did not help himself there by missing training with Newcastle in order to try to force his move to Anfield through.“He got what he wanted, but now he is trying to play catch-up instead of hitting the ground running because of the time he had off, and that is when you can pick up injuries. Isak is too good a player not to eventually start scoring goals but this whole situation has affected Liverpool as a team too, because his lack of fitness is one of the reasons they have not clicked in the final third yet.”Chris Sutton predicts a draw for Liverpool vs BrentfordThe former Celtic and Chelsea star was also not very confident in the idea that Liverpool would get straight back to winning ways in the Premier League after their brilliant Frankfurt result.Arne Slot’s side are coming up against an organised and creative Keith Andrews’ team, who have caused some issues for teams so far this season.Sutton predicted that it would be a 1-1 draw as the defensive issues at Liverpool are too bad to overlook.He said “They scored a few goals against Frankfurt on Wednesday but this is going to be much harder for them.

Brentford were more dominant on the ball when they beat West Ham on Monday but you know how Bees boss Keith Andrews will set up his team for this game – they will sit and then counter, and they are good at it.“Liverpool’s attack will click at some point, but I don’t think it will happen here, and their vulnerability to direct balls in behind their defence means I don’t see them keeping a clean sheet either.”It will be interesting to see this evening exactly how much of the performance from midweek can be replicated at the Gtech Community Stadium.