Liverpool star gets brutal 'non-existent' tag after Arne Slot decision back fires

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Liverpool Echo IconSportFootballArne SlotArne Slot opted to start Alexander Isak over Hugo Ekitike for Liverpool's Premier League clash at home to Nottingham ForestAlexander Isak has been described as "non-existent" during Liverpool's dismal defeat to Nottingham Forest in Premier League action on Saturday afternoon. Igor Jesus thought he grabbed a second before half-time but that was disallowed for handball.READ MORE: Liverpool get instant referee 'clear view' verdict after VAR complaints vs Nottingham ForestREAD MORE: Premier League drop two statements on Liverpool VAR controversies vs Nottingham ForestSean Dyche's side did go two goals in front just after the interval as Savona showed great composure with a first-time finish before Gibbs-White made it three in the final quarter.

Liverpool dominated possession and had more shots but just cannot seem to find any form in either box.The decision to start Isak on his return from injury ahead of Hugo Ekitike was perhaps a little surprising and Slot seemingly released his mistake with two quickfire decisions.In the 55th minute, Ekitike was introduced for Ibrahima Konate which saw Ryan Gravenberch drop into the back four. Isak was later taken off for Federico Chiesa with former Premier League defender Michael Dawson giving a brutal verdict of his performance.He said on Sky Sports: "[Isak was] non-existent in this game.

Had one opportunity that he just scuffed."The Swede has scored just once signing joining in a record-breaking £125million deal from Newcastle United on transfer deadline day.A lack of fitness and injury has seen him play limited minutes, though Slot has explained exactly why he is starting games over others.“Alex, it will still take a bit of time but he will end up being the player he was at Newcastle if we get him fit, or how he was at Sociedad or all the other clubs he was at,” Slot told reporters, including the Echo.“He just needs to become fit. That is the challenge and it is underestimated so much if you bring a player in on September 1, when the league is already three weeks in.“I do know that a 100 percent fit Alexander Isak is a big, big, big plus for this team."But for him to get there, he might need to have minutes where you could argue that another player might be further ahead of him in terms of match fitness.“This morning, I had a conversation with the performance staff: ‘What is the best way for him – not for Liverpool – to get him as fast as we can to that 100%?’.“I always have to find the balance between what is the best for him as an individual and for us as a team.”