Arne Slot makes Liverpool admission and explains Alexander Isak decision - 'not prepared for that'

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Arne Slot looks on after the team's victory in the Premier League match between Burnley and Liverpool at Turf Moor on September 14, 2025 (Image: Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)

Arne Slot admits Liverpool were “lucky” to earn victory at Burnley – as he explained the plan to introduce new signing Alexander Isak into the first team.

The Reds were heading for a goalless draw when Clarets substitute Hannibal Mejbri handled a cross from Jeremie Frimpong inside the area to give Mohamed Salah the chance to score from the spot five minutes into additional time.

Liverpool had dominated possession but struggled to create chances with £125million summer signing Alexander Isak missing.



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And Slot said: “I know how hard it is to create chances against a team with 11 players in the 18-yard box.

“It’s very good that they do this as they almost got a point, I’m not saying anything negative about them, I’m just explaining how difficult it is against a Premier League team who defends with everyone back and doesn’t bring the ball out.

“If we don’t score from a set-piece the only thing you can do is score from open play which is quite difficult if you have to play 11 players in their 18-yard box.

“There were no really open chances.

A draw was probably what we expected throughout the game.

“But we tried with the substitutions we made to bring on to the pitch all the players we have who can attack, we had six or seven on in the end.

“I don’t know if that has anything to do with scoring the goal but we did create the penalty and just before a big chance from Jeremie.

So relief, lucky.”

Isak instead spent the weekend working on his overall fitness at the AXA Training Centre and is now in line for a Liverpool debut against Atletico Madrid in the Champions League opener on Wednesday.

“He was doing recovery, he had a hard and tough session yesterday,” said Slot.

“We got him from Newcastle in a state where his pre-season is going to start now.

He needs proper minutes of training as a base.

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“Alex is far from ready for a schedule for three games in a week for 90 minutes, we could use him today for five or 10 minutes and again on Wednesday, but we don’t believe that’s the way to build him up.

“Now we will be able either Wednesday or Saturday to play 45 as a minimum or maybe a bit more.

But if he plays 45 on Wednesday don’t expect him to play 45 or more on Saturday because his body is not prepared for that in our opinion.”