Arne Slot defined that Alexander Isak was withdrawn at half-time of Liverpool’s thumping 5-1 win over Eintracht Frankfurt within the Champions League with a groin damage.
The large-money switch window signing from Newcastle United was chosen within the beginning XI alongside fellow new arrival Hugo Ekitike, who was on the scoresheet in opposition to his former membership at Deutsche Financial institution Park on Wednesday.
Nonetheless, Isak was changed on the interval by Federico Chiesa, and Reds boss Slot didn’t say whether or not he can be match to face Brentford this weekend.
Chatting with TNT Sports activities, Slot mentioned: “Hugo had an enormous probability and scored. Alex obtained just a few, sadly, he didn’t rating but, however he needed to go off at half-time as a result of he felt his groin a little bit bit.
“That’s a pity. I’ve mentioned many instances, it’s such a tough stability to seek out with a participant who missed three months. You convey him slowly, individuals generally argue with you, why you can’t play him longer or extra typically.
“Now we’ve performed him for the second time in three days and he has needed to go off. It’s not a straightforward stability to seek out if a participant has been out for therefore lengthy.”
Liverpool really fell behind to Rasmus Kristensen’s low drive and for just a few nervy minutes, there have been fears of a fifth straight defeat in all competitions.
An apologetic Ekitike restored parity, although, and Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate each scored from corners to place the guests forward by the break.
Cody Gakpo and Dominik Szoboszlai accomplished the rout within the second half as Liverpool made it two wins from three video games within the league part of the competitors.
Tonight’s goalscorers pic.twitter.com/csmcrDizyB
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) October 22, 2025
After the competition, Ekitike defined how he believes he can play in tandem extra typically alongside Isak.
“I believe it was good. We will enhance collectively and he’s an excellent participant, we have to work collectively and discover a good affiliation,” he mentioned.
“It was an amazing feeling [to come back to Frankfurt]. It was one thing particular to return again residence.
“To win and rating my first Champions League aim right here was necessary. I simply saved it calm and funky. I knew he would come and open his legs, so I put it between the legs, and that labored.”
All 5 of Van Dijk’s Champions League objectives for Liverpool have come by way of headers at corners, whereas 26 of his 30 in all competitions for the Reds have additionally been along with his head.
Since his debut for the membership in January 2018, the one participant to attain extra headers for a single Premier League membership is Harry Kane for Tottenham (34).
Providing his evaluation after the match, Van Dijk thinks it’s a basis for Liverpool to work from after 4 straight defeats, culminating in a disappointing 2-1 reverse to Manchester United on Sunday, previous to this emphatic victory.
“I don’t know if it’s a press release however it’s a win and one thing to construct on,” he mentioned.
“I’ve been within the soccer enterprise for some time, so not reduction. Clearly we’re disillusioned with dropping video games, so it’s one thing now we have to take care of, stick collectively and hold working.
“Right now we gained and must be prepared for Brentford on Saturday. We don’t get dragged into the destructive issues which might be going round. The one method you possibly can play your sport is to deal with the duty forward.
“Preserve going, don’t get dragged into all that stuff.”
