Liverpool are clearly the team to beat in the Premier League once again.
The Reds have won their first four top-flight games without Alexander Isak even setting foot on the pitch.
And, with their Champions League campaign set to get underway against Atletico Madrid on Wednesday evening, fans will be able to see whether their team has what it takes to get further in the competition than last year.
One of Arne Slot’s main goals this season will be to win the Champions League or at least make a better name for himself than he did last term.
Arne Slot raises his fist after Burnley win
Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA/Getty Images
Although their form has been good, that hasn’t stopped a couple of potential problems from arising.
Paul Merson believes Liverpool will face problems when Alexander Isak comes into the squad
It goes without saying that Liverpool had one of the best transfer windows of all time this summer.
They spent over £450million on new players and, even though that’s an awful lot of money, the fact that they sold over £200million worth of players meant that things managed to balance out.
One of Arne Slot’s highest-profile signings was Isak, and although he’s not played for the Reds yet, he’s likely to feature against Atletico Madrid on Wednesday evening.
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And, even though he’s only going to make Liverpool’s first-team squad better, Paul Merson believes that “problems” will begin to arise upon his return.
“He [Isak] hasn’t played any football yet in pre-season,” Merson said.
“So you’ve got to be careful, you don’t want him to come in and then, well, of a sudden, he gets injured, so they’ve got to be patient.
“Their big advantage is that they’re winning while he’s not playing, but? When he does come in, people will have to step out.
“And this is where all the problems start, but I’d like to think he’d get a run out tomorrow [against Atletico Madrid.]”
Liverpool must ensure that they’re fair with the gametime Alexander Isak and Hugo Ekitike get
One of the main questions around Liverpool at the moment is how Slot is going to keep Hugo Ekitike and Isak happy.
Both strikers deserve to be in the Reds’ starting XI, and, although Ekitike can be used on the left wing if needed, he’s much better off in his natural position of striker.
However, since Liverpool have spent a club-record fee on Isak, there’s no way that they’re going to bench him once he’s fully fit.
Liverpool Training Session
Photo by Nikki Dyer – LFC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images
Of course, these days, teams are supposed to have two players for each position, but with the quality that Ekitike and Isak possess, it’s hard to figure out which of them deserves to start.
That is, especially with the recent form that the Frenchman has shown.
Of course, only time will tell what the future has in store, but on the face of things, it’s unclear whether Isak and Ekitike’s situation will actually become a problem for Liverpool or not.