Isak injury leaves Slot counting cost of Liverpool win at Spurs
Arne Slot had to assess the price Liverpool paid for their tense 2-1 victory over Tottenham, who were reduced to nine players, following Alexander Isaks uncommon goal and a concerning injury shortly after.
Isak put Liverpool ahead in the second half at Tottenhams ground with a sharp strike, but he soon hobbled off the pitch after Micky van de Ven failed to block him and caused the issue.
This marked the Swedish forwards third goal for Liverpool since his record-breaking 125 million pound transfer from Newcastle on the last day of the window, sparking optimism that he might justify the massive investment.
However, Liverpool manager Slot must now await scans to see how long the 26 year old will be out with his ankle concern.
Slot simply described Isaks injury as something undesirable.
The timing could hardly be worse for Liverpool in fifth position, with Mohamed Salah away at the Africa Cup of Nations and Cody Gakpo sidelined by injury.
Compounding Slots squad problems, Isak entered as a substitute at the break because right back Conor Bradley had to leave the field hurt.
Even though Liverpool remain unbeaten across their past six matches in every tournament, with three straight wins, the early promise from Hugo Ekitike, Florian Wirtz, and Isak linking up for the first goal faded fast.
Those three players cost approximately 300 million pounds to sign for Anfield during the summer, yet only Ekitike, the cheapest among them, has met expectations amid the defending Premier League champions struggles in the opening half of the campaign.
The French forward Ekitike continued his impressive debut season at Liverpool by nodding in their second against Tottenham.
Still, Liverpool struggled to secure the result as Tottenham, already a man down following Xavi Simons red card in the first half for a rough challenge on Virgil van Dijk, clawed back a goal via Richarlison near the end.
It wasnt ideal
Tottenhams skipper Cristian Romero received a second yellow in added time for kicking Ibrahima Konate unnecessarily, sparing Liverpool from dropping points in a chaotic finish where they seemed vulnerable.
Visibly relieved, Slot commented, A fine strike from Isak, set up by Florian Wirtz, and as I mentioned before, individuals are improving, the squad is progressing.
I figured with them at nine men, we could keep them at bay, but it felt like we had nine and they had eleven with constant pressure on us.
Once more, it fell short of flawless, particularly in the final 10 minutes, yet we gathered the points and I notice the team evolving as I desire.
Separately, Tottenham manager Thomas Frank, facing scrutiny, criticised official John Brooks harshly.
Frank expressed anger over Simons sending off, initially a caution but changed post VAR check, and the decision not to rule out Ekitikes goal due to a shove on Romero.
I dislike calling that a red, said Frank, whose team sits 13th in the table. The match might have felt too significant to cancel, but in my view, it lacks recklessness or excessive force.
He was pursuing Van Dijk, aiming to apply pressure, then shifted course. Regrettably, his boot caught the Achilles. One could argue for more caution, but does that mean no physical challenges allowed?
The second goal represents a referees error. Hands on the back are evident. I fail to see how that passes.
In my estimation, that was the gravest oversight, including from VAR, though it seems insufficient to them.