Arne Slot's Alexander Isak comment speaks volumes after Mo Salah's issue with Hugo Ekitike
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Arne Slot admits he still needs to familiarize himself with Alexander Isak after admitting he has barely spoken to Liverpool's new record signing.
Slot's admission echoes Mohamed Salah's earlier comments about needing to build an on-pitch relationship with another new signing in Hugo Ekitike, which indicates that the Reds are undergoing a period of transition.
Liverpool splurged around £450 million ($600M) on new players during the summer window, including a British transfer record sum of £120M ($162M) for Isak alone on deadline day.
It concluded a lengthy transfer saga surrounding the Swedish forward, who faced widespread criticism for how he forced his departure from Newcastle.
But despite eventually securing his highly-anticipated move, Isak has barely had time to get to know his Liverpool team-mates and hasn’t yet played for the team, owing to the recent international break.
That led to an honest response from Slot when quizzed about Isak's character during Friday's press conference before this weekend's trip to Burnley, as the Reds aim to secure four victories from four in the Premier League.
The Dutchman said: “Maybe you won’t believe me but I haven't spoken to him that much.
I phoned him after he signed and he had to go to Sweden [for international duty] but 99 percent of the time during breaks, I leave the players to their national team managers.
“I texted him once or twice but I do have to get to know him in the upcoming days and weeks.
Alexander Isak recently completed his record transfer to Liverpool.
I felt all the way we needed another attacking player, so I’m happy we could get the one we wanted."
Of course, Isak was not Slot’s first forward signing of the summer, having bought Ekitike from Eintracht Frankfurt for £79M ($107M) just weeks prior.
The France international made an instant impact at Anfield, netting three times in his opening three competitive games for the Reds.
But talisman Salah mirrored Slot's sentiments by acknowledging that he needs more time to get to know Ekitike and understand his game for things to go smoothly on the pitch.