Liverpool manager Arne Slot was left with mixed emotions after his side produced a commanding 5-1 win over Eintracht Frankfurt in the Champions League, but saw star striker Alexander Isak forced off with a groin injury. The Swedish forward, who joined Liverpool in a record £125 million move, played only the first half before being replaced, leaving Slot anxious about the severity of the problem.
The emphatic win brought an end to Liverpool’s run of four straight defeats and showcased the team’s improvement in set-pieces, with Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konaté both scoring from corners. However, the focus after the game quickly shifted to Isak’s fitness, as Slot admitted the workload might have been too much for a player who missed most of pre-season due to transfer complications.
Slot explained that Isak “felt his groin” and had to be withdrawn as a precaution. The manager expressed hope that the injury is not serious but conceded that the situation was frustrating, given the club’s efforts to gradually build the striker’s match sharpness. “He hadn’t trained properly before joining us,” Slot noted. “We’ve been increasing his workload step by step, but when you try to play him twice in a week, things like this can happen.”
The Liverpool boss defended his decision to start Isak in consecutive matches, insisting the medical team had cleared the player. “He wasn’t in the red zone,” he said. “We’ve been cautious with his recovery and preparation, but it’s difficult when you have to play three times in seven days. The margins at this level are very fine.”
Adding to Liverpool’s concerns, Jeremie Frimpong also picked up another hamstring injury, his second of the season, potentially leaving Slot short of options ahead of a congested fixture schedule.
Despite the injuries, Slot praised his team’s overall performance, pointing out that their dominance was consistent with previous matches but that this time, crucial goals from set-pieces made the difference. “We created chances before conceding, but today we took control after scoring from corners,” he said. “That changed everything.”
Liverpool’s victory provided much-needed relief after a difficult spell, yet the potential loss of Isak could disrupt their momentum. Slot now faces an anxious wait for medical results, hoping his marquee signing avoids a lengthy spell on the sidelines.
