British record signing Alexander Isak endured a very poor performance in Liverpool’s 2-1 defeat against Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park.
Softfootball can report that Reds manager Arne Slot has blamed the display of the former Newcastle United striker on the low intensity strategy deployed by the Eagles during the encounter.
Speaking to Liverpool’s official media after the match. He revealed:
That had a lot to do with the low intensity of the game. If you face a low block, 10 players in and around their own 18-yard box, when they have to do build-up the goalkeeper takes a little bit of time before he kicks it long, then there’s hardly any intensity in the game. So in a more open game where both teams want to press high and want to do build-up and you have to run a lot as a nine to press the other team, then you might not play him for 84.
But in a game like this, which was low-tempo, I think I can say that, with some bursts of counter-attacks from them, then your No.9 is mainly not so involved. He was close to a goal. He was very honest to stay on his feet. He got a little bit of a shirt pull and that’s why he was unbalanced when he had to shoot and that maybe was just enough, smart little push to get him unbalanced. But he came closer and closer to a goal, but in the end he didn’t score. Quite a good performance from him.
The defeat was Liverpool’s first in the premier league this season, having won five consecutive matches before now with their last win coming in the 2-1 victory against Everton during last weekend’s Merseyside derby at Anfield.
Liverpool remain top of the Premier League table with 15 points while Crystal Palace claim into second with 12 points after six matches.
