Liverpool’s emphatic 5-1 Champions League triumph over Eintracht Frankfurt was dampened by concerning news regarding club-record signing Alexander Isak. The Norwegian striker was withdrawn at half-time due to a groin problem, raising fresh injury concerns for the Premier League champions heading into their weekend fixture against Brentford.
Slot Explains Tactical Withdrawal
Arne Slot addressed the unexpected substitution during his post-match press conference, revealing that Isak’s removal was purely precautionary rather than tactical. The Liverpool manager confirmed that the forward felt discomfort in his groin area during the first half of Wednesday’s dominant performance in Germany. Despite initial speculation among supporters about whether the decision reflected another subdued showing from Isak, Slot clarified the medical necessity behind taking him off.
Recovery Timeline Uncertain
Slot acknowledged the difficult balancing act required when managing players returning from extended layoffs. Isak had been sidelined for three months before making his comeback, and the manager expressed frustration at the timing of this fresh setback. “It’s such a difficult balance to find for a player who was out for three months,” Slot explained. “You bring him in slowly but people argue you need to play them more or for longer.” With the striker having featured twice in three days, the injury compounds questions about his fitness management during this crucial period of the season.