Arne Slot gets Liverpool gamble wrong as Alexander Isak pays price for transfer decision
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Liverpool Echo IconSportFootballLiverpool FCTheo Squires' on-the-whistle analysis as Liverpool and their £125m record signing Alexander Isak struggle terribly in the 3-0 home loss to Nottingham ForestAhead of facing Nottingham Forest, Arne Slot admitted his frustration that Alexander Isak had been unable to feature more for Sweden during the November international break following his return from a groin injury. He then conceded that he might have to compromise his Liverpool team selection and select the striker over fitter players in an effort to get his record signing up to speed once and for all at Anfield.The Reds boss opted to make such a calculated gamble against the East Midlands outfit, but it did not take long to see that it had quickly backfired as Isak found himself looking way off the pace in another ineffectual display.Isolated in attack, his total of just 14 touches was by far the lowest of Liverpool’s starters.
None of their other outfielders recorded fewer than 40 touches during the 26-year-old's time on the pitch.READ MORE: Liverpool star gets brutal 'non-existent' tag after Arne Slot decision back firesMeanwhile, a horribly scuffed shot in the 64th minute was his only effort on goal before his premature withdrawal four minutes later.Prior to that, he had been one of only three Reds outfield players, along with Ibrahima Konate and Ryan Gravenberch, not to try his luck at goal.In truth, the only surprise was that Isak lasted past the hour-mark. With Hugo Ekitike introduced after 55 minutes, the Swede could have had few complaints if he had been the man to make way for his fellow striker.The Frenchman, fresh off scoring his first goal for his country, can feel aggrieved to have dropped to the bench, while Federico Chiesa offered more when he was introduced from the bench in place of the former Newcastle United man.Isak has now made nine appearances for Liverpool, but his only goal remains a League Cup tap-in against Championship side Southampton back in September.In the past, Nottingham Forest have been the side to light up his eyes most.
He boasted a career-best six goals against the Tricky Trees from just four Premier League appearances, having netted in all of his previous meetings against them.But such a run came to an end with a whimper as a shock 3-0 loss saw the Reds fall to another dismal defeat - their eighth in 11 games with such a drought dating back to when Isak made his first Premier League start for the club away to Crystal Palace back in September.Slot might have been frustrated that the possible risk of suspension had left the British transfer record signing unable to gain valuable minutes for Sweden, but both player and club continue to pay the price for his disjointed pre-season at Newcastle, having essentially gone on strike to force through his belated deadline day exit.Now Isak is not to blame for Liverpool’s woes. The club’s record signing is simply one piece of a much larger puzzle that is yet to come together and Slot is still trying to work out.But he failed to vindicate his head coach’s gamble, with his muted display only reiterating just how much work he still needs to do to rediscover the form that earned him a move to Anfield in the first place.But the frustration that he has so far been unable to justify his £125m price-tag goes on.