Former Newcastle United striker Alexander Isak has hit a new low at Liverpool following his display in the defeat to Nottingham Forest
Alexander Isak failed to have an impact in Liverpool's Premier League defeat Nottingham Forest
Alexander Isak failed to have an impact in Liverpool's Premier League defeat Nottingham Forest
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Alexander Isak has been branded as "non-existent" following Liverpool's shocking 3-0 defeat to Nottingham Forest at Anfield on Saturday afternoon.
The Reds are now in crisis mode after suffering their eighth loss of the campaign, a stark contrast to their perfect start of seven consecutive victories across all competitions.
Having been thrashed 3-0 by Manchester City before the international break, Liverpool endured an identical scoreline with Morgan Gibbs-White, Nicola Savona and Murillo all finding the net for the visitors.
Despite controlling possession and registering more attempts on goal, Liverpool simply couldn't find their rhythm in either penalty area.
The choice to field Isak upon his return from injury instead of Hugo Ekitike raised eyebrows, and Slot appeared to acknowledge his error with two rapid substitutions. In the 55th minute, Ekitike was brought on to replace Ibrahima Konate, which meant Ryan Gravenberch dropped back into the defensive line.
Isak was subsequently substituted for Federico Chiesa, with former Premier League defender Michael Dawson delivering a scathing assessment of his display.
He told Sky Sports: "[Isak was] non-existent in this game. Got no service. Had one opportunity that he just scuffed."
The Swedish striker has managed just one goal since his record-breaking £125million switch from Newcastle United on transfer deadline day.
No pre-season and injury problems have restricted his playing time, though Slot has outlined precisely why he continues to select him ahead of other options.
"Alex, it will still take a bit of time but he will end up being the player he was at Newcastle if we get him fit, or how he was at Sociedad or all the other clubs he was at," Slot told reporters, including the Echo.
"He just needs to become fit. That is the challenge and it is underestimated so much if you bring a player in on September 1, when the league is already three weeks in.
"I do know that a 100 percent fit Alexander Isak is a big, big, big plus for this team. But for him to get there, he might need to have minutes where you could argue that another player might be further ahead of him in terms of match fitness.
"This morning, I had a conversation with the performance staff: 'What is the best way for him – not for Liverpool – to get him as fast as we can to that 100%?'.
"I always have to find the balance between what is the best for him as an individual and for us as a team."
Isak's poor day came as it emerged he has has reportedly spent £30,000 on a guard dog after being subjected to threats. It is claimed that the Swedish forward will soon welcome a highly-trained Doberman to protect him off the pitch as he settles into life on Merseyside.
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