Arne Slot says the quiet part out loud about Alexander Isak's Liverpool struggles
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Liverpool FC NewsFeaturesArne SlotAlexander Isak has endured an extremely underwhelming first season at Liverpool - but Arne Slot knows why, and is backing the Reds record signing to eventually come goodAlexander Isak has endured a slow start to life at Liverpool(Image: 2026 Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA)Arne Slot admitted that Alexander Isak's Liverpool teammates need to work on getting the Swede more touches of the ball.Isak has endured a disappointing first season at Anfield, but his slow start to life on Merseyside can largely be put down to fitness issues. Isak started the season slowly after missing pre-season with Newcastle as he went on strike to force through his move to Liverpool, and a brief injury lay-off in October and November was followed by a much longer lay-off after he suffered a broken leg in December.Isak is still working his way back up to full fitness, and scored his first Premier League goal at Anfield last weekend as he opened the scoring in the 3-1 victory over Crystal Palace.READ MORE: Liverpool star forced to drop out of training as Arne Slot provides injury updateREAD MORE: Arne Slot offers curious response to question over 'harsh' fan criticismObviously, the former Newcastle striker still has a huge way to go to rediscover the form that earned him a Premier League-record move to Anfield last summer, and Slot thinks his teammates can play a part in that happening."The more he touches the ball, the bigger the chances," Slot said.
"But it makes sense that connections need to be rebuilt and that is the good thing, we have training time, so we can bring him in the positions he prefers."It's helpful for him to get fitter. A game is 95 minutes, full throttle, constant running, so being fit is quite important."Isak became Liverpool's record signing after Florian Wirtz had held that title for just a few weeks following his big-money move from Bayer Leverkusen.Arne Slot also spoke about Florian Wirtz's start to life at Liverpool(Image: Getty Images)Slot also spoke about Wirtz's slow start to life at Anfield, as he praised the youngster's improved form in recent weeks."The development Florian has made in his Liverpool career is so clear and obvious," said Slot."In the 93rd minute against Crystal Palace, making a duel on the sideline, winning a throw-in and then making a sprint from 40 yards and hitting the ball in the top corner...
That is something I am not completely convinced he could do eight months ago.READ MORE: Arne Slot hints at Liverpool summer addition as preparations for next season beginREAD MORE: Arne Slot issues Alisson fitness update ahead of Liverpool trip to Man Utd"His improvement - and he was already an elite player – will only continue as he is only 22 so that makes complete sense."Almost every player in the world is at his best when he is 25, 26 but he is already an elite player and he can only become better."That is the beauty of the signings we did last summer, that all of them are of a certain age where we can only expect them to get better."Choose Liverpool.com as a 'Preferred Source' on Google News for quick access to the news you value.Arne SlotAlexander IsakLiverpool FC