Arne Slot has admitted he was surprised by Alexander Isak‘s fitness levels against Atletico Madrid, adding that he “could” start against Everton on Saturday.
Supporters finally got to see Isak in a red shirt as he started Liverpool’s 3-2 win over Atletico Madrid.
The Swede played his first 57 minutes for the Reds, after which Slot said that his new No. 9 was ‘fitter than expected’.
Slot was asked directly by TNT Sports if Isak could start against Everton, to which he replied: “Could be, but again, it could never be a 90 minutes for him, so that is what we all have to understand.”
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Wednesday, September 17, 2025: Liverpool's new signing Alexander Isak during the UEFA Champions League match between Liverpool FC and Atletico Madrid FC at Anfield. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Speaking to the media, the head coach added: “I was positively surprised by how fit he was in that 60 minutes.
“That probably tells you it might be different to signing a 20-year-old from a different league or a 25-year-old who has already played in this league.
“I was surprised how fit he was, I was not surprised by his quality. It’s always nice to see if a player starts the way he starts. Good start, only 60 minutes, now we have to build him up from here.”
On television, the Dutchman elaborated on this, explaining: “The problem is you need to make sure players are prepared for the programme and, therefore, you need to train with them and that is, at this moment in time, not possible.
“But we are really happy that he could start today, that’s why we didn’t play him against Burnley.”
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Wednesday, September 17, 2025: Liverpool's Alexander Isak during the UEFA Champions League match between Liverpool FC and Atletico Madrid FC at Anfield. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
So far this season, Hugo Ekitike has been Liverpool’s centre-forward, but like against Atletico, he is expected to be displaced once Isak is fully fit.
“When Hugo came in, he was a big threat also,” Slot said.
“We have two great No. 9s and we are going to use them, both of them, throughout their whole career that they are here, but definitely now in the start.”