Liverpool summer signing Alexander Isak is showing positive signs by moving to rehabilitation. Former Red Emile Heskey shares his thoughts on the player’s future and his fit into the team.
Since that costly 2-1 win over Tottenham Hotspur. While Liverpool took the points, the injury to Alexander Isak just before Christmas proved to be a turning point that derailed their momentum.
Arne Slot is now learning how harsh the Premier League can be. Liverpool’s inconsistent form has seen them drop vital points, fueled by a rare slump from Mohamed Salah and the frequent absence of Hugo Ekitike.
With the attack losing its edge and the defence struggling for stability, Slot’s side is facing its first major crisis of the season.
The Reds have gone on to lose 10 games this campaign after a recent 2-1 defeat away against Brighton Hove Albion and the Dutchman is under immense pressure to go on to deliver Champions League football to save his job and Liverpool horrific Premier League title defence.
Isak’s presence could have made a difference in this period. But an unfortunate injury against Tottenham might have cost Slot a lot more than expected.
Heskey’s opinion on Isak
Ex-Liverpool player Heskey believes Isak would be the missing piece in the puzzle, as his return gets closer. The £125 million record transfer was made with high hopes, but a fractured fibula in the leg against Spurs flipped the script.
However, Heskey spoke on how Slot could bring out the best in the player who scored 27 goals for Tyneside last season.
As per Liverpool Kop, he said, “Obviously, playing him centrally would help, and giving him freedom and supply. You’ve got to supply him.
“You’ve got to remember the Isak that we saw doing really well at Newcastle was supplied. Balls coming into the box, balls coming into him, balls being slid down the side. And I think with (Florian) Wirtz, you’ll get that.
The former Red spoke on playing to the Swede’s strength by providing balls into the box.
“The only thing is you might not get it from the wing, and that’s where you saw a lot of his chances. Before early crosses into the box, and he’s getting on the end of them. You might not see a lot of that, but you’ve got to give him supply.”
Heskey was part of the famous Liverpool side that won a cup treble 25 years ago.
Who will be Liverpool’s central attacker?
The prospects of Isak playing at the end of April are getting closer. The 26-year-old is upping his recovery and returning to full training at the end of the month. This shifts the focus to who will be the main man in the attack.
However, Ekitike made a positive start to the season, scoring 17 goals in 41 games. Recently, scoring in the demolition of Galatasaray, setting up a showdown Champions League quarter-final against Paris Saint-Germain.
With the ball in Slot’s court, the Dutch should decide how to play these two together. Isak could be returning in the decisive half of the season. If Liverpool still competes in the Champions League and FA Cup, his impact would make a difference for the club and Slot as well.
