Man City 3-0 Liverpool: Match Review
Alexander Isak was an unused substitute after returning to the Liverpool squad for the 3-0 loss against Man City in the Premier League.
It was the sort of game that Liverpool broke the British transfer window for.
The Anfield head coach noticed that the Reds’ expected goals stats were the highest in the league. Adding a striker to finish off the attacks from open play is why Isak was purchased.
The decision not to use Isak would have caused debate to rage. Some argue that if he was available to be in reserve, he could have come on for a cameo. But Slot insisted at his pre-match press conference that Isak’s fitness had taken a setback following a groin injury. The Sweden international missed four matches in total. He had only just got up to full match fitness after missing the majority of pre-season at Newcastle United as he pursued a move to Liverpool.
Slot has previously stated that the Reds have not signed Isak for the coming months but the six years that are in his contract. Liverpool are looking at the long-term picture when it comes to the centre-forward.
“For me, he is in the end stage of his rehab,” Slot told Sky Sports ahead of the City game. “Had two training sessions with us. Yes, we have trained, but not with the intensity that would have been best for Alex. He is there if he needs to help us.”
Another decision Slot made that might have raised eyebrows was the introduction of Joe Gomez in the 82nd minute. At this point, Liverpool were already three goals behind and deservedly beaten by City in Pep Guardiola’s 1000th game as a manager.
Gomez’s introduction was hardly going to be a catalyst for Liverpool mustering a near-impossible comeback. The Reds’ longest-serving player has never scored in 248 appearances.
Bringing on Gomez wasn’t for damage limitation, either. Introducing him likely was to give Conor Bradley a breather. Bradley recorded full games in victories over Aston Villa and Real Madrid, impressing in both. And while Jeremy Doku was City’s undisputed man of the match, Bradley had a decent battle throughout the contest.
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