Alexander Isak to get off the mark and set Liverpool on their way to a big Carabao Cup win over Southampton
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Liverpool secured a 2-1 victory over Southampton in the English Carabao Cup third round, marking a significant milestone as Alexander Isak scored his first goal for the club. The Sweden international, Liverpool's £125 million signing from Newcastle, opened the scoring with a confident first-time finish shortly before half-time, assisted by Federico Chiesa's high-pressure play and ball regain. This goal showcased Isak’s potential contribution to Liverpool’s ambitions across all competitions this season.
Despite Isak's promising display, he was substituted at half-time to manage his fitness, having missed Newcastle's preseason and early Premier League matches. Isak himself noted the challenge of building match sharpness and revealed that during the game he was asked to sprint on the sidelines after being taken off—a first-time experience for him as he works to reach full match fitness.
Southampton responded through former Manchester City academy graduate Shea Charles, equalizing the match. However, Liverpool's second goal came from Hugo Ekitike, who scored a late winner but was subsequently sent off for removing his shirt during celebrations after already having a yellow card.
Liverpool fielded a rotated side with 11 changes from their previous Merseyside derby win, reflecting a balance between maintaining competitive edge and managing player fitness. Head coach Arne Slot praised Isak's excellent performance, considering the player's current physical adjustment phase and foreseeing his involvement in upcoming matches, including the Premier League fixture against Crystal Palace and a Champions League game versus Galatasaray.
The victory maintains Liverpool's 100 percent record across the Premier League, Champions League, and League Cup for the season so far, reinforcing their intent to compete strongly on multiple fronts. Isak emphasized the club's competitive goals, expressing his commitment to contribute fully as his fitness improves.
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