Manager Arne Slott has confirmed that Alexander Isak’s exit at half-time during Liverpool’s 5-1 win over Eintracht Frankfurt was due to a possible groin injury. The Reds won in Germany with first-half goals from Hugo Ekitike, Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate, with second-half goals from Kodi Gakpo and Dominik Szoboszlai.
However, Isak was sent off at half-time after a quiet game, with just two shots on target in the first 45 minutes and little else. And after Jeremy Frimpong was forced off injured after just 19 minutes, Slott revealed the £125m Swedish striker had also been substituted due to fitness concerns. “Alex had a little bit of a groin injury so he had to leave at halftime,” Slott told TNT Sports.
“It’s a shame. I’ve said it many times, it’s very difficult to find a balance with a player who has missed three months[of football]. When you bring him in slowly, people argue about letting him play longer.
“This is the second time in the last three days that he has started, but unfortunately he has to leave. We hope for the best, but it is not easy to find balance with a player who has been out for such a long time.”
After the win, which ended a four-game losing streak, the Dutchman added: “We needed a win. What we needed more was a performance that created a lot of chances. But the players get their reward with a win, and that’s what happened today.”
“There were a lot of similarities today compared to other games because the first chance they had was a goal – probably the only chance they had today – and we went up 3-1. It’s probably easier to control the game when you’re up 3-1 than when you’re down 1-0 or 2-1.”
“But the main difference between this game and the previous four games is that in most games the opposition team scored from set-pieces, but this time we scored from two set-pieces.
“After that, people focused more on the offense in the second half than on the missed passes. Probably today as well. But when you’re up 3-1, it’s a different assessment.”
Goalscorer Ekitike, who will be Brentford’s only centre-forward on Saturday, was delighted to score against his former club. The Frenchman joined Liverpool from Frankfurt for a fee that could reach £79 million and currently has six goals in 12 games.
“It felt great[to come back to Frankfurt]. It was special to come home,” he said. “It was important to win here and score my first Champions League goal. I just have to stay calm and calm. I knew he was going to come and open his legs so I put it between his legs and it worked.”
“I have very good teammates, staff and I love living here. I hope I can continue like this because consistency is important in football. I feel very good and they have helped me a lot, so I am calm and doing what I have to do.”
Regarding playing with Isak, Ekitike added: “I think it was good. We can grow together and he is a very good player. We need to work together and find a good relationship.”
