Arne Slot to confront new Liverpool defensive dilemmas as Alexander Isak decision weighed up

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Arne Slot has a number of selection decisions to make for Liverpool's clash with Atletico Madrid(Image: PA)

And so to the Champions League for Liverpool, as Arne Slot attempts to bring a seventh European Cup to Anfield at the second time of asking.

It's the first of two huge home games this week as Atletico Madrid visit on Wednesday night before Everton arrive for the first Merseyside derby of the Premier League season on Saturday lunchtime.

With no Federico Chiesa in the squad for the Champions League this term, Slot might be tasked with bringing in a new attacker in the fold in a certain Alexander Isak.



More on him shortly.

Elsewhere, there are a number of other genuine selection posers to grab the attention as the head coach weighs up the visit from Diego Simeone's los Rojiblancos on Wednesday.

READ MORE:Liverpool face new Marc Guehi transfer hurdle after 'ridiculous' Arne Slot admissionREAD MORE:Mohamed Salah responds to Alexander Isak signing in blunt Liverpool admission

The goalkeeper situation is straightforward enough but the options are plentiful on the right side of the back four.

The Scotland skipper still has an awful lot to offer.

Both decisions at full-back represent genuine defensive dilemmas for Slot, although the fact he has so many options also highlights the strength in depth that exists at Anfield.

In midfield, Liverpool will be sweating on the fitness of Alexis Mac Allister, who suffered an ankle problem after a poor challenge from Burnley's Lesley Ugochukwu.

Argentina international Mac Allister played on but was eventually withdrawn, with Slot saying: “I was always sure I would take him off after 60 minutes for him to be ready to be back on the pitch on Wednesday and Saturday and I already made one substitution in the first half.

Alexis Mac Allister is treated during the Premier League match between Burnley and Liverpool(Image: AP Photo/Jon Super)

“If I take him off on 60 minutes then I would have to make another one then if I want to make changes on 75 I can do nothing anymore.

Isak was left out of Sunday's squad as he continues to adjust and get up to speed after his £125m transfer deadline day move from Newcastle United.

Isak has played just 18 minutes of any kind since May having been banished from Newcastle team training after he essentially went on strike to force his dream move to Anfield and Slot was at pains to stress why the Sweden international was left back on Merseyside for the weekend's trip to Turf Moor.

Alexander Isak could make his Liverpool debut(Image: Nikki Dyer - Liverpool FC via Getty Images)

“If you start a season when the players have been off for five weeks, you give them a certain base before they are able to play 45 minutes," Slot said.

"We got him from Newcastle in a state where you could see his pre-season was going to start now, then he needs proper minutes of training before he has a certain base, let alone for him to play twice in three days.

“We try to prepare players at the beginning of the season to play once a week and then we try to do more before the rhythm of three games a week.

As well as a pull-out fixtures guide to the group phase, we profile every other club in the competition.

Our writers cover Arne Slot’s side all season long, home, away and abroad, seven days a week, and this special second edition of Blood Red is full of their in-depth features, analysis and comment.

There's also an interview with Voice of Anfield George Sephton who looks back at his time at the club, we review the big tactical talking points of the season's opening games, and we preview the next month of action as the Champions combine their bid to defend their Premier League crown with the start of their mission for Champions League glory.

Available to buy HERE

Isak has signed a six-year deal with the champions and due to the size of the fee and the excitement that surrounds the capture of the new No.9, it is understandable that supporters want to see him introduced as soon as possible.