Liverpool boss Arne Slot defends Isak after Palace loss

Posted Monday, September 29, 2025 by tribalfootball

Liverpool manager has come to the defence of Alexander Isak following his quite performance in his first league start for the Reds.

The Swede was in action, however, the Reds bowed 2-1 to Crystal Palace with the 3125million ($167m) striker facing barrage of criticisms for his contribution against the Eagles.

0Slot defended the former Newcastle United man as he continues to return to full fitness.

“Isak playing 84 minutes had a lot to do with the low intensity of the game,” he told the media.

"If you face a low block, 10 players in and around their own 18-yard box and when they have to do a build-up they take a while with hardly any intensity.

“In a more open game where you have to run a lot as a nine, then you might not play him for 84, but this was a game in which it was a low block with some bursts of counter-attacks.

“He was close to a goal, very honest to stay on his feet, got a little bit of a shirt pull and that’s why he was unbalanced when he shot. So that was maybe just enough, smart little push to get him unbalanced. He didn’t score but it was quite a good performance.”