Liverpool's coach clarifies Isak's chances of playing against Palace

Coach Arne Slot has addressed the likelihood of striker Alexander Isak being in the starting lineup for the upcoming Premier League clash with Crystal Palace.

Striker Alexander Isak made an impression in his first start for Liverpool with a goal against Southampton in the 3rd round of the Carabao Cup. This weekend, the Swedish star aims to be named in the starting eleven for The Kops for the first time in their away game at Crystal Palace in the 6th round of the Premier League.

However, in the pre-match press conference, Coach Arne Slot mentioned that Isak is still not fully fit to play a full 90 minutes, although he could still start the game.

Specifically, Slot said: "It’s true that he is ready to play again, but in my opinion, playing the entire 90 minutes depends on the pace and intensity of the match. It’s still a bit too demanding at this stage. This not only poses immediate risks but also long-term effects, as even a minor collision while being pushed to play a full match could push him beyond his limits.

Therefore, I believe it’s not yet advisable for him to complete 90 minutes. Nevertheless, his fitness preparation has clearly improved. Typically, after about two to three weeks of pre-season, players can manage 60–70 minutes, and in some clubs even up to 90 minutes. For us, the pre-season phase mainly gets players into the rhythm for around 60–70 minutes to ensure greater safety."

With Hugo Ekitike unavailable due to a red card in the Carabao Cup, Isak is very likely to start from the beginning. In fact, the 1999-born star made his Premier League debut for Liverpool in the recent Merseyside derby but did not leave a significant mark during his time on the pitch.

Therefore, the match against Crystal Palace will be an opportunity for Isak to showcase his abilities and prove that the record fee The Kops paid to sign him from Newcastle was well justified.

Regarding Crystal Palace, the team that defeated Liverpool in the Community Shield earlier this season, Coach Slot believes the disciplined playing style of the Selhurst Park side will pose many challenges for his players in their pursuit of three points.

The Dutch strategist added: "Discipline is their greatest strength. Defensively, all 10 outfield players along with the goalkeeper work extremely closely and persistently to prevent the opposition from scoring. This was clearly shown in the Community Shield match; although we dominated possession, they maintained calmness and discipline in their own half, organizing a very solid mid-to-low block defense.

Last week, when facing Southampton, we encountered similar difficulties against such a disciplined team, and it’s truly not easy to find gaps. Additionally, like many Premier League teams, they have quality individuals who can create breakthroughs and pose significant threats in attack."

The match between Crystal Palace and Liverpool will kick off at 9:00 PM tomorrow night (September 27).

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