Liverpool head coach Arne Slot. (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)placeholder image
Liverpool head coach Arne Slot. (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Arne Slot discussed the performance of Milos Kerkez and Alexander Isak scoring his first Premier League goal for the club.
Arne Slot believes that Milos Kerkez’s Liverpool withdrawal in their victory over West Ham United was a result of his recent exertions.
Kerkez has endured a mixed start to his Liverpool career after joining from AFC Bournemouth for a fee of £40 million in the summer transfer window. He has largely been first choice on the left-hand side of defence, dislodging the vastly experienced Andy Robertson. Kerkez kept his starting berth despite being involved in sobering defeats by Nottingham Forest and PSV Eindhoven - and delivered a good performance against West Ham to help shackle their talisman Jarrod Bowen.
Liverpool have another quick turnaround when they welcome high-flying Sunderland to Anfield on Wednesday. Speaking at his post-match press conference, Slot admitted that Kerkez is still getting used to playing three matches in eight days and that’s why he suffered cramp - a potential hint that Robertson will return against Sunderland.
What’s been said
The Reds head coach said: “The only moment when Bowen had a chance was when he was out but it was nothing to do with the full-back that was in. That was the only chance they had and, as a result, the only chance Bowen had. A good performance, a good defensive performance from him. He was also a threat attacking-wise a few times. In the first half, another time when it didn’t lead to a shot on target but a cutback from a cross were all moments where, if we are in a better run of form, these moments will lead to more goals.
“Good but it maybe tells you what I’ve emphasised a lot of time that some players need to adapt to the Premier League and some need to adapt to playing three games a week. Maybe that is not a surprise Milos has cramp in the end for two reasons; he’s not completely used to that and because he puts so much effort in every time he plays.”
Isak goal reaction
Liverpool were full value for their triumph at West Ham. Another positive was that Alexander Isak finally netted his first Premier League goal since completing a move to the Reds for a British record fee of £125 million. The striker broke the deadlock on the hour mark with a composed finish.
Isak’s fitness issues have been well-documented since joining Liverpool, having missed the majority of pre-season at Newcastle United. Slot admitted that he was always going to substitute the Sweden international around the 65-minute mark - another suggestion that he might not be 100 per cent ready to start against Sunderland.
Slot added: “Normally, as a No.9, in general, he plays more minutes than I have played Alex now because of the obvious reasons. Even today, I had to take him off after 68 minutes. He has played a lot of games, but in terms of minutes, not so much. It’s very important for us as a team that we went 1-0 and important for him because it was his third chance of this game and I don’t think there was much more than 10 minutes left in him. To score just before you come off is important for us and him.”
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