Liverpool were frustrated at Anfield against Burnley on Saturday despite putting in a good first-half performance.
The Reds have been really poor of late, although a draw against Arsenal in their most recent Premier League game suggested that a corner had been turned.
During the opening 45 minutes of Saturday’s clash, that feeling was solidified somewhat as Liverpool produced some slick attacking play.
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How much are Liverpool missing Alexander Isak?
They created plenty vs Burnley…
Hugo Ekitike tugs at his shorts in frustration after having a goal disallowed during Liverpool's Premier League match against Burnley at Anfield (Credit: Getty Images/Jan Kruger).
Photo Credit: Getty Images/Jan Kruger
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However, as it often has this season, the Reds’ performance regressed dramatically after half-time, as they allowed Burnley back into the game.
Liverpool supporters booed Arne Slot’s team at the final whistle and there is a feeling that the tide may be finally turning against the Dutch coach. Despite the anger in the air, though, the Reds actually created more than they had in any other Premier League match this season. Alexander Isak must have been watching on in pure frustration.
Liverpool needed Alexander Isak vs Burnley
Throughout Isak’s time as a Liverpool player so far, he has looked something of a square peg in a round hole.
That often has not been a problem of the Swede’s own making, however, with his teammates really failing to get anything close to his best out of him.
Florian Wirtz playing for Liverpool vs Burnley
Photo by Oli SCARFF / AFP via Getty Images
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At times it has felt impossible for Liverpool players to create anything at all for Isak. Known for his deadly finishing ability, the Reds should have been focusing on getting the ball to him in front of goal as often as possible.
On Saturday, they finally did that. The only issue was that Isak was not playing. The 26-year-old is still around six weeks away from being fit to play following a leg break in December.
Ironically, without their £125m striker on the pitch, Liverpool created an xG of 2.96 against Burnley: their highest in a Premier League match this season. If only they had been doing something similar when Isak was there to bury those chances.
Surely Arne Slot is living on borrowed time, when will Liverpool pull the trigger?
No wins against newly-promoted Premier League sides for the first time ever…
Arne Slot reacts during Liverpool's Premier League match against Burnley at Anfield (Credit: Getty Images/Oli Scarf/AFP)
Photo Credit: Getty Images/Oli Scarf/AFP
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Liverpool show how Isak can score goals in this team
Although Isak will have been frustrated at seeing that his Liverpool teammates can create chances after all, it should also give him some hope for the future.
Supporters should not necessarily be expecting to see the best of the Sweden international in what is left of the season when he returns, but that doesn’t mean that he cannot make some vital contributions.
Liverpool are going to have more games like this, when they create a decent amount but cannot make the breakthrough.
Having Isak’s natural finishing ability should be the difference maker when those matches do occur. Finally, they showed that there is a way for him to score goals in this team.
Florian Wirtz and Hugo Ekitike look like being the key to that, and when Isak is fit and ready to go again, his rapport with those two feels like it could determine Liverpool’s whole season.
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